GTA VI downloads begin before November 19 launch

Rockstar Games has allowed players to begin downloading Grand Theft Auto VI before consoles are enabled to play the game on November 19.

Fans in New Zealand were the first to download the new title as access rolled out at midnight in each time zone. Players will still have to wait until midnight on Thursday next week to start playing.

The game will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. Rockstar Games says it will require 212GB of storage, meaning downloads could take from about an hour to several hours depending on connection quality.

Opening downloads more than a week before launch is intended to reduce the risk of a rush crashing Rockstar's servers. Players who chose a physical copy will be able to collect it from shops from Thursday, but the box will contain a download code rather than a disc.

The standard edition is priced in Europe at 79.99 euros, while an edition with in-game bonuses such as new weapons and cars costs 99.99 euros.

Analytics firm Sensor Tower said nearly eight million copies had already been pre-ordered two weeks before release. The Grand Theft Auto series has sold more than 475 million copies worldwide since its launch in 1997, and Take-Two Interactive says GTA V sold more than 230 million units.