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Ex-Rockstar dev reveals how long GTA 6 has been in development for it's longer than you think

One former Rockstar developer has revealed just how long the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 has been in development for, and you might be surprised here's all we learned

[This handout courtesy of Rockstar Games taken on December 4, 2023 shows a video grab of the trailer of "Grand Theft Auto 6" video game. The first trailer for "Grand Theft Auto VI" was officially released ahead of schedule December 4, 2023 due to a leak, touting a 2025 release for the next chapter of the massively successful video game franchise. (Photo by Rockstar Games / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Rockstar Games" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by -/Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Images)]

We now have more details on the huge game now Trailer 2 has dropped(Image: Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Ima)

Rockstar finally followed up on its first GTA 6 trailer last week, with the long-awaited release of Trailer 2 and a whole bunch of extra info giving fans plenty to sift through.

We're about a year out from the game's release following its delay to 2026, but now one former Rockstar developer has explained just how long the game's development timeline has been, and it's actually not as long as we'd originally thought.

Speaking on a YouTube video, David O'Reilly has worked on Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 6, and has revealed that the latter has been in development since 2018.

GTA 6 reportedly in development for 7 years so far

In the video above, O'Reilly discussed the new screenshots Rockstar Games released alongside Trailer 2 last week, noting that his time on GTA 6 started in 2018.

"I worked on GTA 6 from 2018 to 2023. Went onto it after we wrapped up on RDR2," he explained.

"It's fascinating having a look at all this stuff," he said, suggesting that GTA 6 development didn't begin until Red Dead Redemption 2 had launched in 2018.

[GTA 6 trailer screenshot]

The new trailer shows a different side of Leonida

That may sound obvious given the scale of each title, but prior reports had suggested that GTA 6 had been in development longer.

That could be accounting for pre-production and planning, of course, but it means it'll be launching after around 8 years of development time (unless it gets delayed again, of course).

It's likely to be the most expensive game ever made as a result, with the running costs of the studio, staff salaries, and marketing all likely to mean the game has racked up quite the bill for Take-Two.

And yet, we'd be very surprised if it doesn't break even in a matter of days, such is the level of anticipation.

[GTA 6 Trailer 2 screenshot]

Jason and Lucia share some quiet moments in the new trailer

If you're interested in more of O'Reilly's comments, his YouTube channel Game World Art is worth a follow. He often reveals tidbits of information about his time at Rockstar Games, while also commenting on the process of making games.

As far as we can tell, he's not commented on the latest fan theory that both GTA 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are set in the same universe as yet, though.

For more on GTA 6, check out why the decision was made to delay the game, as well as some of the Trailer 2 details you may have missed.

We've also got a look at what AI thinks a Trump-led GTA game might look like, and it's pretty much exactly what you're thinking.

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