GTA 6 Pre-Load Date: Nov. 10 Start Times and 212 GB Size

Rockstar Games has moved up the digital pre-load for "Grand Theft Auto VI" (GTA 6) to Tuesday, Nov. 10, nine days before the Nov. 19 launch. Coverage of the earlier pricing announcement had put pre-loading at Nov. 12, so the new notice gives players two extra days.

The download is big. The pre-load file is up to 212 GB depending on the console, TechRadar reported, and that figure matches the one cited by other outlets covering Rockstar's notice. Anyone planning to play at launch should free up space now.

When the pre-load opens

Start times differ by platform, according to Video Games Chronicle and TechRadar:

PlayStation 5: midnight local time on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in each player's own time zone. New Zealand gets it first.
Xbox Series X|S: 12 a.m. GMT on Nov. 10 worldwide. That is 7 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Central on Monday, Nov. 9, and 4 p.m. Pacific.
Code-in-box copies: physical boxes that contain a download code, not a disc, should be at retailers from Nov. 12.

The game launches Nov. 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. TechRadar noted a separate, unconfirmed report that a PC version could arrive in early 2027. Rockstar has not announced one.

Price and editions

Rockstar's earlier announcement priced the standard edition at $79.99 and a premium edition at $99.99, according to Engadget and Cybernews. TechRadar refers to a $100 Ultimate Edition. Check the storefront for your region before buying, because the coverage found here does not list every edition.

Rockstar will also give away a printable cover-art poster and a map of Leonida as free digital downloads on Nov. 19, TechRadar said. A physical double-sided poster goes on sale shortly after launch for $0.99, or comes free with any Rockstar Store purchase.

What to do before Nov. 10

Pre-loading only helps digital buyers, and only those who have already ordered. A short checklist:

Check free space against the 212 GB figure. Because the size depends on the device, the exact requirement may differ on your console.
Make sure the console is set to download updates automatically, or have the store open when your pre-load window begins.
If you are on Xbox in the U.S., remember the window opens the evening before, on Nov. 9.
Do not rely on third-party download links. Pre-load through the PlayStation Store or Xbox store only.

The size and the two-day move say something about what Rockstar expects. A game that large, released to a global audience on one day, strains servers and home connections at the same moment. Opening the download early spreads that load across more than a week.