'GTA 6' Release Date, Features: 1st Female Protagonist Confirmed?; Late 2020 Launch Eyed

Rockstar Games has been very careful not to stir the hype among gaming fans waiting for the official announcement of “GTA 6.” But that has never stopped the speculations and so-called insider reports. The said game is now expected to introduce the franchise’s first-ever female protagonist and to be released before 2020 ends.

Most of the rumored “GTA 6” details circulating online came from an earlier report from the YouTube program The Know by the Inside Gaming channel. Hosts Ashley Jenkins and Gus Sorola pointed out that the information came from an inside source that provided enough proof making them “confident” enough to report on it.

One of its interesting claims was that Rockstar Games is likely to introduce a “female lead” in “GTA 6.” This has been one of the highly rumored gameplay changes in the franchise for years. Considering the current pop culture climate and the fact that several AAA franchises have already introduced main female protagonists, this is one possibility for “GTA 6.”

Critics had called out Rockstar Games several times before for the way it portrayed female non-playable characters in earlier games. So introducing a female lead in “GTA 6” will definitely stir some discussions and, if done correctly, it could be the developers redeeming factor in this aspect.

Another possibility is that the rumored female lead will be just one of the main protagonists in “GTA 6.” Rockstar Games has already introduced several leading characters in a single title in “GTA V,” so it would not be that surprising if they will do it again for the sequel.

The same news source mentioned the possibility that “GTA 6” will be released between 2021 and 2022 — the same as the forecast of gaming industry analyst Michael Pachter. However, another source later reported that the highly anticipated game is slated to be released in “holiday 2020.”

The said source correctly predicted the timeframe when Sony announced the first details on PlayStation 5. The leak also had accurate information with regards to PS5’s hardware specs. It then adds credibility to other details revealed, including those related to “GTA 6.” However, without Rockstar’s official word, it is still best to take all of it as mere rumors.