Grand Theft Auto VI is finally on its way, and Netflix is giving us a first look before the game’s release this fall. Because, of course, we need to build up the hype even more for one of the most anticipated games of the year. The extended look will premiere on Netflix on August 27, at 3 PM ET, exclusively for subscribers, because that’s what we’re calling “exclusive content” these days.
It’s been a long time coming for Grand Theft Auto fans. Grand Theft Auto V was released way back in 2013, and since then, we’ve been waiting for the next installment. Rockstar Games confirmed that GTA VI was in development back in 2022, but the game has encountered numerous delays since then. At this point, the “We Got _______ Before GTA VI” meme has become a staple of internet humor, and we’re all just waiting to see if the game will actually live up to the hype.
Brandon Riegg, VP of Nonfiction Series for Netflix, had this to say about the news: “Grand Theft Auto reveals have become cultural moments in their own right. The anticipation and fandom around Grand Theft Auto VI is unprecedented, and we’re honored that Rockstar Games has partnered with us to debut the next part of the Grand Theft Auto story with Netflix members first… It’s a reflection of what we hope Netflix is becoming: a place where the most ambitious storytelling, from any medium, can find the biggest possible audience.” Because, you know, Netflix is all about ambitious storytelling, and not just about throwing money at popular franchises to get more subscribers.
The Never-Ending Wait for GTA VI
The official description of GTA VI gives us a glimpse into what the game is about: “Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida – forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.” Sounds like your typical GTA fare, with plenty of action, crime, and conspiracy to go around.
The extended look at GTA VI will premiere on Netflix on August 27, and then the game will go on sale for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19. Because, of course, we need to give the game a few months to build up the hype before it’s actually released. And by “hype,” I mean the inevitable onslaught of trailers, teasers, and advertisements that will saturate every corner of the internet and TV until we’re all sick of hearing about it.
The Business of Gaming and Entertainment
It’s no surprise that Netflix is partnering with Rockstar Games to give us a first look at GTA VI. After all, Netflix is all about getting its hands on the latest and greatest content, no matter what it takes. And what better way to get people to subscribe to your service than by offering them exclusive content that they can’t get anywhere else? It’s a clever move, really – using the anticipation and fandom surrounding GTA VI to drive up subscriptions and get more people to tune in. And hey, it’s not like we’re not going to take the bait or anything.
As Brandon Riegg said, Grand Theft Auto reveals have become cultural moments in their own right. And that’s exactly what Netflix is banking on – the idea that people will tune in just to be a part of the cultural conversation, even if they’re not necessarily interested in the game itself. It’s a clever marketing move, really, and one that will likely pay off in the end. After all, who doesn’t love being part of a cultural phenomenon, even if it’s just for a few hours?
In the end, it’s all just business as usual in the entertainment industry. The Content Mines remain fully operational, churning out new content to keep us all distracted and entertained. And hey, as long as it keeps us coming back for more, who cares if it’s all just a bunch of hype and marketing nonsense? Somewhere, a whiteboard now contains the words “bigger,” “darker,” and “multiverse,” and executives are nodding very seriously as they discuss the next big thing. Because in Hollywood, that’s all that really matters – the next big thing, and how to make a buck off of it.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
