All About GTA 6: Release Date, New Features, and Why It's Called the First AAAAA Game

Rockstar Games is preparing the return of one of the most iconic gaming franchises, and it’s doing so at a scale that surpasses any previous standard. Grand Theft Auto VI was recently described as the first-ever “AAAAA” video game—an unofficial label meant to capture its massive ambition, cultural impact, and unprecedented budget.

The statement came from Nigel Lowrie, co-founder of Devolver Digital, who said in an interview with IGN:

“There are AAA games and then there are AAAA, but I’d say the new Grand Theft Auto is potentially a AAAAA game. It’s simply bigger than anything else, both in scope and scale, plus the cultural impact and attention it generates.”

What Does “AAAAA” Mean?

For years, the term AAA has referred to high-budget, large-scale productions. However, with GTA 6, that label seems insufficient. The scale of the project—which includes real-time tide simulation, advanced physics, and an investment that exceeds known benchmarks—has led industry voices to propose a new designation: quintuple A.

Although Ubisoft previously used the term “AAAA” for Skull & Bones, and Microsoft applied it to projects like Perfect Dark, the case of GTA 6 goes beyond marketing. Its influence is such that indie studios and major publishers have adjusted their release calendars to avoid clashing with its expected launch in May 2026.

More Than a Game, a Phenomenon

GTA 6 arrives more than a decade after GTA V, which sold nearly 200 million copies and maintained an active community for years thanks to GTA Online. This new installment doesn’t just aim to surpass its predecessor—it seeks to set a new benchmark for production, scale, and cultural relevance.

Is “AAAAA” an exaggeration? Maybe. But if any title can justify it, it’s this one.