GTA 6 press review, November 12: the pre-load breaks a broadband record
The 212 GB download strains UK networks, German supermarkets cut the price, and Take-Two takes aim at AI clones. 7 days to go.
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The pre-load broke a UK broadband record
Virgin Media says its network carried more data on November 10 than on any day before, about 4% above the previous record set by a Fortnite update, with traffic up more than 50% in the first hour after midnight compared with a week earlier. Smaller provider YouFibre briefly hit a capacity limit at one gateway that evening and needed emergency traffic management to fix it. ISPreview expects another spike on November 19, when the day-one patch lands.
Specs & size → · ISPreview UK (Nov 11, 2026) · GameStar (Nov 11, 2026)
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Germany: Lidl and Edeka undercut the €79.99 price
From today, Lidl's online shop sells GTA VI for about €70, ten euros off, but only to customers who use the Lidl Plus app, GameStar reports. Some Edeka stores list the code-in-box edition at around €66, according to GameStar and PC-Welt. The box holds a download code, not a disc, and the game still unlocks on November 19.
Germany → · GameStar (Nov 11, 2026) · PC-Welt (Nov 11, 2026)
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Zelnick promises to fight AI clones and unofficial ports
In an interview with IGN, reported by GameStar, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick said the company is strengthening both its technical protections and its legal options against AI-made clones of Rockstar games and unofficial PC conversions. It's an answer to the worry, raised last week by former Rockstar North technical director Obbe Vermeij, that AI tools could produce a PC port before Rockstar does. Rockstar still hasn't announced a PC version.
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Analyst forecast: next GTA Online in early 2027
A Bank of America analyst expects the next version of GTA Online to arrive between January and March 2027, according to a Business Insider report picked up by Omelete and Multiplayer.it. This is a bank's forecast, not information from Rockstar, which still hasn't announced any online mode for GTA VI.
Rumors → · Omelete (Nov 11, 2026) · Multiplayer.it (Nov 11, 2026)
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A doughnut in one hand, a beer in the other
In an interview that Vandal attributes to The Guardian, Rockstar's Rob Nelson explains that characters can hold and use two items at the same time, such as eating a doughnut while drinking a beer. He also mentions hot dogs eaten in convincing detail and the bottles of a six-pack clinking as Jason runs.
Jason Duval → · Vandal (Nov 11, 2026)
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Rockstar UK staff are due to start voting on a union
The recognition ballot organised by the IWGB union for Rockstar's UK staff is due to open today and run until November 26, right across launch week. The union says a yes vote would cover more than 1,600 workers. Separately, closing arguments in the Glasgow employment tribunal over the 2025 dismissals are expected on November 17 and 18.
PC Gamer (Nov 9, 2026) · IBTimes UK (Nov 11, 2026)
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Countdown: 7 days to go
Boxed copies with a download code go on sale today, and GTA VI unlocks on November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, at local midnight according to PlayStation Store listings (Rockstar hasn't confirmed the hour). Reviews are still expected on November 18, a date Rockstar hasn't confirmed either. To get the free month of GTA+, Rockstar Support says the digital purchase must be made before November 20.
Release date → · Rockstar Support (Jun 24, 2026) · Insider Gaming (Oct 26, 2026)