Twelve years. That’s how long Grand Theft Auto V has been part of our gaming lives. When Rockstar Games released it back in 2013, few could have predicted the cultural tidal wave it would become. GTA V didn’t just break records; it redefined the open-world genre, introduced us to the endlessly profitable GTA Online, and became a phenomenon that lived well beyond the typical shelf life of a video game.

And now, after over a decade of Los Santos dominance, the torch is finally about to be passed. GTA V just celebrated its 12th birthday, and this will be its last before its successor, GTA 6 Items, arrives to reshape gaming history once again. In May 2026, we step into a new world—Vice City reimagined—alongside two protagonists, Jason and Lucia.

But before we get there, there are pressing questions that every fan has: When will we see the third trailer? When can we finally pre-order? And how much will GTA 6 actually cost us? Let’s dive into what we know, what we expect, and why Rockstar’s marketing mastery makes this next year so monumental.

Rockstar’s Trailer Strategy: A Masterclass in Hype

Rockstar doesn’t just drop trailers. They orchestrate events. Every reveal feels like a cultural happening, not just a gaming update. GTA 6 has already proven that twice.

Trailer 1 dropped in December 2023. It introduced us to Jason and Lucia, confirmed Vice City’s return, and broke YouTube records.

Trailer 2 arrived in May 2025—17 months later. It wasn’t random. That gap gave trailer 1 time to dominate, rack up insane views, and keep speculation alive. Trailer 2 then doubled down, revealing character dynamics, jaw-dropping visuals, and confirming all footage was captured on PlayStation 5 hardware. No smoke and mirrors, just raw console power.

This strategy works because Rockstar lets hype breathe. Each trailer becomes a chapter, not just a clip. And with GTA 6 officially dated for May 26, 2026, the next step is obvious: Trailer 3 is coming before the end of 2025.

Why December 2025 Makes the Most Sense

Fans are desperate for Rockstar to drop trailer 3 as soon as possible. But here’s the reality: Rockstar won’t rush. Trailer 2 is still climbing in views and conversation, and the studio wants it to dominate through most of 2025.

December 2025, however, is the perfect storm. Why?

Holiday Season Hype – People are off work, students are out of school, and wallets are wide open. Marketing doesn’t get more powerful than December.

Timing Before Release – Dropping trailer 3 just six months before GTA 6’s launch gives Rockstar maximum momentum heading into 2026.

Pre-Order Explosion – If Rockstar ties pre-orders to trailer 3 (which is very likely), the holiday rush ensures record-breaking sales right out of the gate.

It’s the same playbook Rockstar used with trailer 2, where they didn’t just release a video—they revamped their entire website with wallpapers, screenshots, and new branding. Expect nothing less from trailer 3.

What Trailer 3 Will Show

So far, Rockstar has focused on setting the stage: protagonists, city, vibes. But with trailer 3, the gloves come off.

Here’s what fans can realistically expect:

Gameplay Mechanics – Expect to see robbery setups, heist coordination, and maybe even cooperative mechanics between Jason and Lucia. GTA 6 is rumored to evolve heists far beyond GTA V.

Vehicle Combat Physics – Rockstar loves showing off car chases, crashes, and explosions. With new engine tech, GTA 6 will likely showcase its most advanced driving systems yet.

Vice City Beyond the Neon – Beaches and skyscrapers are great, but trailer 3 could show rural areas, Florida swamps, and even small towns to highlight the game’s massive map.

Social Commentary Humor – No GTA trailer is complete without satire. Expect glimpses of social media parodies, influencer jokes, and Rockstar’s trademark cultural punches.

Cinematic Cutscenes – With Lucia and Jason’s relationship central to the story, we’ll likely see intense dialogue, dramatic heist planning, and cinematic sequences that rival Hollywood.

One thing trailer 3 probably won’t do is introduce brand-new main antagonists. Rockstar likes to keep narrative twists under wraps until release. The focus will be spectacle, mechanics, and immersion.

Pre-Orders: Timing and Pricing

The big question: how much will GTA 6 cost?

Rumors point to GTA 6 being the most expensive standard edition game ever. And honestly, that makes sense. Reports suggest Rockstar has spent over $1 billion developing the game, and industry trends are already pushing prices upward.

Here’s the likely structure:

Standard Edition – $80

Rockstar isn’t going to price GTA 6 at $70 like other AAA titles. The scale, cost, and hype justify $80 as the new baseline.

Premium Edition – Around $100

This could include online bonuses, early access perks, or exclusive digital content.

Ultimate Edition – $150 to $170

This is where Rockstar will go big. Expect physical goodies like a Vice City map, artwork, or even a collectible item. Online currency, exclusive vehicles, and in-game bonuses are almost guaranteed.

It’s worth noting that GTA V’s collector’s edition cost $150 back in 2013, and Red Dead Redemption 2’s Ultimate Edition was $100. With GTA 6 surpassing both games in ambition and budget, these higher price tiers feel realistic.

Why Rockstar Can Charge More

At first glance, $170 for a game sounds outrageous. But GTA isn’t just any franchise—it’s the biggest entertainment property in history. GTA V sold over 200 million copies, generated billions through GTA Online, and continues to chart even today, 12 years later.

This means:

Demand is Insane – GTA 6 is more than a game; it’s a cultural event. People will pay whatever Rockstar sets.

Longevity – Just like GTA V, this game will last for years thanks to GTA Online 2. Your $80 (or $170) isn’t for a one-year experience—it’s a decade of content.

Unmatched Detail – Rockstar is known for their obsessive attention to detail. Every city street, every NPC conversation, every radio ad—it’s all meticulously crafted. That level of immersion costs money, and fans know it.

In short: if Rockstar charges $80 for standard and $170 for ultimate, the community will still line up in record numbers.

Rockstar’s Secretive Marketing Style

Another key piece of the puzzle: Rockstar doesn’t play by traditional marketing rules.

They don’t announce trailers weeks in advance. They don’t do countdowns. They don’t even hint at exact dates. Instead, they shadow-drop on random days—usually Tuesdays—and let the internet do the rest.

That’s exactly how trailer 3 will arrive. No fanfare, no warning. One moment you’re scrolling Twitter, the next moment GTA 6 is trending worldwide with a brand-new trailer. It’s unpredictable, but it works every single time.

The Bigger Picture: The End of an Era, The Start of Another

With GTA V now officially 12 years old, this transition feels bigger than just a sequel. GTA V defined an entire generation of gaming. It carried us through two console cycles, birthed one of the most profitable online ecosystems in history, and became a cultural reference point across the globe.

GTA 6 isn’t just the next chapter—it’s a reset button. A chance for Rockstar to take everything they’ve learned from GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 and deliver something that pushes the medium forward again.

Vice City isn’t just nostalgia. It’s Rockstar saying, “Here’s what open-world games should look like in 2026 and beyond.”

Final Thoughts

So here’s where we stand:

GTA V just turned 12. Its final birthday before GTA 6.

Trailer 3 is almost guaranteed for December 2025, perfectly timed for holiday hype and pre-order mania.

Trailer 3 will focus on gameplay, mechanics, and Vice City’s depth, not new protagonist reveals.

Pre-orders will likely go live alongside trailer 3, with pricing ranging from $80 to $170 depending on edition.

Rockstar won’t announce the trailer date. They’ll shadow-drop it like always, breaking the internet in the process.

Now the real question isn’t if GTA 6 Money for sale will shatter records—it’s how many records it will shatter. From view counts to sales numbers, this game is destined to dominate.

The only thing left for fans is to decide: Will you go for the standard edition, or are you all in on the ultimate edition with every extra bonus Rockstar throws at us?

Either way, December 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable months in gaming history.