Rockstar Games has started GTA 6 pre-orders, but the game is only available for current-generation consoles. PS4 fans may wonder whether the older generation consoles will need to wait for a delayed launch or if Rockstar is only supporting newer hardware. Here’s everything we know about why GTA 6 will likely not be released on the PS4.
Why PS4 Players Are Still Expecting GTA 6
This is an important question, as many PS4 players were hopeful that they would be able to play GTA 6 on their consoles. The biggest reason behind this expectation is Rockstar’s history of supporting multiple PlayStation generations. GTA V, for instance, was released for PS3 initially. Then, Rockstar also released the game for PS4 and PS5. However, this strategy was likely used because the PS3 was the current-generation console at the time, as the PS4 and PS5 hadn’t been launched yet.
So, GTA 6’s case is different, as the game would need to support current-generation and compromise on performance if it supports older generations. The PS6 is also reportedly some ways off, and there is no official launch date for the console, but Rockstar may support it if it’s released. Unfortunately, this has appeared to be wishful thinking, as Rockstar has only announced the game for current-generation consoles.
GTA 6 Is Built for the Newer Generation Consoles
Rockstar is significantly ambiguous about the GTA 6, and reports indicate the game may not even play at higher than 30 FPS on the PS5. This highlights that the game is built for modern hardware, and outdated consoles will likely not be able to run the game optimally. This is likely why Rockstar didn’t announce cross-generation support when pre-orders went live.
GTA V is a good example, as the game was released for an older console, and then updated to support two newer generations. The game was initially designed with weaker specs in mind, so supporting better hardware wasn’t as challenging, and the game was likely improved since there were fewer hardware limitations. GTA 6 is built with current-generation hardware in mind, which means the PS4 likely lacks the power to run the game to its potential.
Why Supporting PS4 Means a Compromise for GTA 6
Rockstar hasn’t displayed in-depth GTA 6 gameplay, but the trailers and some reports suggest the in-game world will be massive, NPCs’ AI will be more complex, and the game will be denser compared to previous titles. This is where the PS4’s hardware can limit the game if GTA 6 were to be released for the older generation console.
Rockstar would need to modify several things for the game to be able to run properly on the PS4. The world would likely need to be scaled down, NPCs would become simpler, streaming would need to be redesigned to account for the slower HDD, and the overall gameplay would need to be toned down. It’s highly unlikely Rockstar would water down the game so significantly to release it on an older console.
Could GTA 6 Ever Be Released for PS4?
Rockstar hasn’t announced PS4 support for GTA 6, and this situation is different from the PC delays the developer has, so it’s unlikely the game will be released for the older-generation console. As mentioned above, a delayed port would need to compromise substantially, which the developer is unlikely to do. GTA 6 isn’t the same as GTA V, where the game had to be updated for improved hardware. Making a game perform worse to support an older console is an unlikely ask for any developer.
There are also no credible reports regarding a PS4 port being in the works. Rockstar has only announced support for the current generation, despite the PS4’s massive player base, which indicates it’s unlikely for the older generation console to be supported. Rockstar could potentially introduce GTA 6 through cloud gaming at a later date to circumvent the slower streaming issue, but there are no reports of this. If Rockstar expands platform support for the game, GTA 6 will likely be released for the PC rather than an older console.
Why GTA 6 Marks the End of an Era for the PS4
The GTA franchise is one of the most popular in the world, with many fans waiting years to play the game. The game has reportedly broken pre-order records to become a massive success even before its launch. However, PS4 players who want to play GTA 6 will either need to upgrade or wait for a PC release.
A single game causing a dent in the PS4’s player base is unlikely. However, GTA 6 may start a larger shift, where major developers stop PS4 support. GTA 6 highlights the PS4’s hardware limitations, and more new games may follow GTA 6 and not release for the older generation console.
