GTA6 is coming! And that means parents need to start paying attention. This game is rated M for a reason. It’s not appropriate for kids. In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about GTA6 (that we know so far) so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s appropriate for your child.
GTA games are known for their violence, gore, and sexual content. GTA games have always been popular among kids and teens. GTAV was no different. The game was so popular that it sold over 11 million copies in its first week. That’s a lot of copies! And that means a lot of kids were playing it.
I’ve said it before on Engaged Family Gaming content. I’m not here to judge. You know your kids and your family better than any of us here at EFG do. So if you want to let them play, then by all means. Our goal is to provide as much information as we can about the content of the game so that you can make a real decision.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Is Going to be Everywhere
A recent report revealed that GTA6 is deep in active development. We also know that Rockstar Games, the developer behind the game, has all hands on deck developing it. That tells us that an official announcement isn’t far off and the hype train for its launch will only start building from there. GTAV is one of the best-selling games of all time. Its successor will likely be a MONSTER. It will be a major topic in every available form of media once it is released. There won’t really be any way for you to avoid it.
And if you can’t avoid it, then your kids can’t either. They will see ads. They will likely watch streams and YouTube videos. And, more importantly, they’ll hear about it from other kids either at school, in sports, or on the bus. It is almost inevitable that they will ask for the game so we want to make sure you have all the information that you can so you can be prepared.
When is GTA 6 Coming Out?
We don’t have anything even close to a release date. But fans are speculating that it will be announced before the next Take 2 Earnings call on May 17th. It is worth mentioning that a reveal wouldn’t necessarily mean that a release is imminent, but they could announce a release window. If the reveal comes before May 17th, then there is an outside chance that GTA6 could be released this Fall ahead of the Holiday season. But I think it is more likely that it will be released in 2024.
The Potential ESRB Rating
Grand Theft Auto 6 is still in development and doesn’t have a release date (or even a release window at this point.) That means we don’t have ESRB information about it yet. However, we can infer what the ESRB rating will be based on the rating information for GTA5. It was rated M for mature with the content descriptors “Blood and Gore,” “Intense Violence,” “Mature Humor,” “Nudity,” “Strong Language,” “Strong Sexual Content,” and “Use of Drugs and Alcohol.” That is quite the laundry list of mature descriptors.
Sexual Content and Violence Against Women
One thing that I think is worth being called out separately is the sexual content. Parents often think of violence when they think about GTA games. But, the sexual content is often either forgotten or isn’t even thought about at all. This leads parents who are less concerned about violence to let the game slide. (This is a pretty common thing in the US. Many parents are far more concerned about nudity and sexuality than they are about guns and violence.)
Another detail from the Bloomberg report is that GTA6 will feature a Latina protagonist. That is, admittedly, a big step for the franchise. It does mean that all of the violence being done against you while playing the game will likewise be done to a woman.
GTA Online 2?
GTA 5 included GTA Online which has been one of the most prolific online games of the last decade. In fact, “Shark Cash,” the game’s digital currency, generates more than $800 million annually. That kind of success isn’t something that Rockstar can ignore. It is very safe to assume that GTA 6 will include either GTA Online access OR access to a sequel to the smash hit online game.
GTA Online is a very different beast than the main game. It includes the expected content, but also the added “spice” of online interactions. The community that plays GTA Online is broad and robust and includes players of all ages. So this is definitely something parents will want to be aware of and consider.
The Choice is Ultimately in Parents’ Hands
So there you have it, parents. Everything you need to know about Grand Theft Auto 6. It’s coming out soon and it looks like it will be just as violent and explicit as its predecessors. Let us know what you think in the comments below! Are you going to let your kids play? or will you be staying away?
Looking For Alternatives to GTA 6?
If you are a parent looking into alternatives to buying GTA 6 for your kids, then look no further than the EFG Essentials. These are family-friendly games that the Engaged Family Gaming staff has vetted as high quality. None of them are rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
- Video Games for kids on Xbox One
- Video Games for kids on PS4
- Video Games for kids on Nintendo Switch
- Board Games for kids
What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!
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