The vacation request almost writes itself: That’s how long GTA 6 should be

The question of the playing time of GTA 6 concerns fans worldwide. New leaks and rumors continue to provide clues as to how extensive Rockstar’s next open-world adventure will actually be. We classify the current information and explain what is realistic – and what is not.

Leak about the story: This is how long the main story is supposed to be

Shortly after the first trailer appeared in December 2023, insider LegacyKillaHD’s prediction caused a particular stir. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) he states: The The main story of GTA 6 should have a playing time of around 35 to 40 hours include.

This would mean that the pure story length would be at a similar level to GTA 5. But this number only tells half the story.

Assessment: How credible is this rumor? LegacyKillaHD is no stranger to the scene. He has already made accurate predictions in the past, such as the 2026 release year for GTA 6. However, you should treat such information with caution. So far, this is the assessment of a single source and Rockstar Games itself remains silent as usual. Until an official confirmation is made, these remain well-informed but unconfirmed rumors. However, there is already information about the price of GTA 6, as our video tells you:

» Watch video: GTA 6 will be cheaper than expected.

Contradiction: Other leaks speak of 75 hours

While the forecast of 35-40 hours seems realistic, another leak from the X account “GTA 6 Updates” is causing a stir, telling of an epic campaign around 75 hours of playing time speaks. This report even breaks down the story in detail into six chapters and would position GTA 6 far above Red Dead Redemption 2 in terms of sheer scope.

Although this high number meets the expectations of many fans, the source of this rumor is less established, which is why particular caution is warranted here. The most likely case is somewhere in between: A core story that can be completed in 40 to 50 hours, but the sheer density of side missions and activities easily increases to over 100 hours for a full exploration.

Comparison with predecessors: The trend is towards longer games

A look at the previous games from Rockstar Games helps with the classification. The data platform howlongtobeat.com shows a clear trend: the games are becoming more and more extensive.

Especially that one Jump from GTA 5 to Red Dead Redemption 2 shows what Rockstar is capable of. The latter set new standards with its epic story and incredibly dense game world. So it’s very likely that the developers for GTA 6 will focus on this scope rather than taking a step back.

More than just the story: what determines the overall scope

Pure story length is just one piece of the puzzle. The true scope of GTA 6 will be made up of several factors that are likely to push the playing time to well over 100 hours:

• The main story: The predicted 35 to 40 hours form the foundation of your adventure in Leonida.
• Side Missions & Activities: From the Strangers & Freaks in GTA 5 to the countless random encounters in RDR2, the most memorable moments are often hidden here. This part should at least double the playing time for completists.
• The game world Leonida: Rumors point to the largest and most vibrant map in a GTA game to date. Just exploring the detailed world, finding collectibles and Easter eggs will take dozens of hours.
• The online mode: GTA Online has proven to be a cash cow for Rockstar Games and is still actively played after over ten years. One can firmly assume that a successor to GTA 6 is planned to be even bigger and more ambitious right from the start. Potentially endless fun awaits you here with hundreds, if not thousands of hours.

Even if the alleged 35 to 40 hours for the story doesn’t sound record-breaking at first glance, all signs point to a huge overall package. The long development time, the technical progress and the immense success of its predecessors only allow one conclusion: Rockstar Games will deliver an extremely extensive game with GTA 6which will keep you busy for years to come.

How well do you know GTA? (Quiz)

Question 1 of 15

How many games (excluding add-ons) are there in total in the GTA series?

A) 5

B) 7

C) 11

D) 14

Until then, we will provide you with all the known information about the new protagonist Lucia. We also take a first look at the GTA 6 map and clarify the question of a version for PS4 and Xbox One.