Rockstar was all set to drop the biggest trailer in video game history today when the wind was unceremoniously taken out of its sails at the eleventh hour. A low-quality version of the official Grand Theft Auto VI trailer was uploaded by an anonymous Twitter account, emblazoned with grubby crypto watermarks, which quickly oozed its way across the internet.
In response, Rockstar published the genuine article early, dejectedly writing: “Our trailer has leaked so please watch the real thing on YouTube.”
The proper trailer is fantastic and surprising no one; GTA VI looks like it's going to be absolutely incredible. While fans are no doubt overjoyed, enjoying the long-awaited look at the successor to Grand Theft Auto V's legacy, at least one developer involved with the game is understandably pissed. GTA VI has suffered an unfortunate succession of leaks ( one as recently as this week), and it's a shame to see another on the eve of the game's unveiling.
Senior gameplay animator Javier Altman summed up his feelings quite succinctly: “This f***ing sucks.” Altman later added that he was "hoping to watch this for the first time tomorrow along with my fellow teammates and coworkers". The frustration is apparent, and Altman wrote: "I feel we deserved that moment. I’m so proud of what we are making. Enjoy the trailer, everyone.”
An hour after the trailer was officially published (thanks, VGC) and the leaked video quashed, Altman wrote: "Literally crying tears of joy right now at the response everyone is having. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this."