The extended preview of Grand Theft Auto 6, premiered on Netflix on Thursday, has sparked a surprisingly mixed reaction among readers, with some praising its graphics as the best ever seen while others criticise its pacing and gameplay as too similar to GTA 5. The show, which offered an extended look at the highly anticipated game, also prompted broader discussions about the future of physical media and pre-order practices.
Mixed Reactions to the Extended Look
One reader, using the name Euclidian Boxes, expressed astonishment at the game's graphics, calling them "Best. Graphics. Ever." They noted, "I just don’t see how they could be any better, given how long it would take and how much it would cost to do even more detail." The reader also speculated that GTA 6 could have "the best graphics for all time," pointing to the reported $3 billion development budget. However, they found the lack of narration odd, saying the skips between scenes seemed "a bit random," but the content shown was "incredible," particularly the final segment featuring bodyguard-style action.
In contrast, another reader, Gantz, offered a more lukewarm assessment. "I mean… it was alright," they wrote. "The graphics were good, nobody could deny that, but the whole thing just looked like it played exactly like GTA 5." Gantz criticised the in-car conversations as "lame," a sentiment they say GameCentral previously highlighted, and expressed disappointment that there was "not really anything completely new" in the presentation. They also questioned a "Die Hard knock off in 2026," asking, "Is that really the best they could come up with in 13 years?"
Concerns Over Gameplay and Pacing
A reader named Hammeriron was particularly critical, describing the extended preview as "dull as dishwater." They argued the show was "oddly paced, with weird cuts, a hodge podge of cut scenes, missions and slice of life activities." Hammeriron added that none of the needle drops landed and the presentation lacked style, humour, or fun. "The graphics were nice, with good lighting, but it all seemed like PlayStation 3 gameplay," they wrote, suggesting Rockstar should study Nintendo's 2017 trailer for Zelda: Breath Of The Wild as a better example of selling a game in a shorter time.
Despite the criticism, the discussion also touched on the broader context of the game's release. The reader G4RBO expressed dread about future hardware, mentioning "Project Helix and PlayStation 6," and predicted a potential repeat of the video games crash of 1983. They lamented the industry's shift towards digital-only distribution, citing Sony's all-digital push as a move that "will damage their brand in the long run."
Physical Media and Pre-Order Concerns
The letters also highlighted growing concerns about physical media. A reader named Bobwallett wrote about the transition from VHS/Betamax and cartridges in the '80s to CDs and DVDs in the '90s, warning that "our sense of ownership is about to be removed." They noted that if a company like Sony leaves gaming, "everything you’ve bought after 2027 goes bye bye."
On pre-ordering, Simundo criticised the practice, especially for digital games. "There’s no benefit to the customer pre-ordering months in advance," they argued, noting that Xbox and Steam offer refunds within 14 days and under two hours of playtime, but Sony's PSN does not. "Sony need to match Steam’s and Xbox’s refund policy now they are taking away a physical option," Simundo added, referencing the ability to recoup money on physical purchases.
In response to reader Magnumstache's observation about upcoming releases with reasonable price points, such as Star Wars Zero Company and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy both priced under £50, GameCentral confirmed, "We noticed that too, at least in terms of Zero Company and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy – both of which are out on the same day and both the same, relatively, low price. More importantly, they’re both great games."
Regarding the GTA leaks, The Dude Abides argued they are easy to avoid and will have "zero difference to sales anyway." GameCentral responded, "We don’t think anyone is upset about it other than Rockstar, but the whole business is extremely peculiar. And getting stranger by the day."
