Rockstar Games has moved up the start of GTA 6 preloading to Tuesday, November 10. Players who preordered the game digitally on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S will be able to download it before its release on November 19, although they will not be able to play until launch.
The date is two days earlier than the November 12 preload window previously announced by Take-Two when preorders opened in June. Rockstar says the files may require up to 212 GB of free space, though it has not specified the exact requirement for each console.
On PS5, preloading is scheduled to begin at midnight local time. On Xbox Series X|S, it will start at midnight GMT worldwide. Physical editions will arrive at retailers on November 12; according to the report, their boxes contain a download code rather than a disc.
The storage requirement could take up a substantial share of the space available on some consoles. The report notes that the 512 GB Xbox Series S has 364 GB of usable storage, while some PS5 models also have considerably less usable space than their advertised capacity. Rockstar has not said whether the Xbox Series S version will be smaller.
Rockstar recommends freeing up enough storage before preloading begins. The company has not confirmed when the game will become playable on release day. A PlayStation Store listing reportedly points to a midnight local-time launch, but that timing has not been confirmed by Rockstar.
For launch day, Rockstar will also offer a free printable poster and a map of Leonida, the fictional state where the game is set. A double-sided printed poster will be available through the official store for $0.99 or included with a purchase, according to the report.
Sources: Numerama.