GTA 6 Leaks: What Happened in 2022, 2023 and 2026
The short answer
Yes, several times. In September 2022 a hacker stole early development footage; Rockstar said development would continue as planned. In December 2023 Trailer 1 leaked and Rockstar released it early. In August 2026 gameplay clips spread online, and Rockstar called it "heartbreaking" and asked players to wait for November 19.
Read the complete guideSources and evidence
Official informationWhere the information on this page comes from. Analysis and speculation are labelled and are not official statements.
- Rockstar Games on X · 2022 statement
The September 19, 2022 statement on the network intrusion and early development footage.
Checked: - Take-Two · SEC filing (8-K), September 2022
Take-Two's statement that work on the game would continue and development timelines were not expected to be affected.
Checked: - BBC · 2022 hack court outcome
The December 2023 hospital order and Rockstar's recovery cost as told to the court.
Checked: - Rockstar Games on X · Trailer 1 released early
The December 2023 post releasing Trailer 1 after it leaked.
Checked: - Kotaku · Rockstar's letter on the 2026 leaks
The full text of Rockstar's August 26, 2026 letter, first posted on Instagram. Nothing about the leaked clips themselves.
Checked:
Background and full explanationFurther context and details
Did GTA 6 leak?
Yes. Rockstar has responded publicly to three leaks: a hack in 2022, the early leak of Trailer 1 in 2023, and gameplay clips in August 2026. This page covers what happened and what was said. It does not describe or link the leaked material.
| When | What happened | Official response |
|---|---|---|
| September 2022 | A hacker stole early development footage | Rockstar and Take-Two: development continues as planned |
| December 2023 | Trailer 1 leaked the day before its premiere | Rockstar released it about 15 hours early |
| August 2026 | Gameplay clips spread online ahead of An Extended Look | Rockstar posted a letter to players |
September 2022: the hack
On September 19, 2022, Rockstar said it had suffered “a network intrusion in which an unauthorized third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto.” It added that work on the game “will continue as planned.”
Take-Two filed the same news with US regulators. The filing says Rockstar did not anticipate “any long-term effect on its development timelines as a result of this incident.” The later delays were explained differently: Rockstar’s delay announcements cite the extra time needed to finish the game to the expected standard. See the release date history.
What happened to the hacker?
The person responsible, then a teenager linked to the Lapsus$ hacking group, was tried in the UK. Doctors found him unfit to stand trial, so the jury decided only whether he carried out the acts. According to the BBC, in December 2023 the court gave him an indefinite hospital order, and Rockstar told the court the hack cost it $5 million to recover from, plus thousands of hours of staff time.
December 2023: the Trailer 1 leak
Trailer 1 was due on December 5, 2023. When a low-quality copy spread online the evening before, Rockstar published it early and posted: “Our trailer has leaked so please watch the real thing on YouTube.” The official trailer and the ones after it are on the GTA 6 trailers page.
August 2026: gameplay clips
In the week before An Extended Look, clips of GTA 6 gameplay spread online. On August 26 Rockstar broke its silence with a letter, reported by Kotaku. It said having gameplay leak this way “has been heartbreaking for our team,” apologised for how long official information had taken, and added: “we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19.”
Should you trust leaked information?
Treat it with care. Leaks show unfinished work without context, and Rockstar has said the 2026 clips may spoil parts of the game. For what has actually been confirmed, see the rumour tracker.
Not announced
- Whether Rockstar is taking legal action over the 2026 leak. Some outlets have reported takedown notices.
- How the 2026 clips got out.
Continue reading
- Will GTA 6 be delayed again?: what the evidence says.
- GTA 6 release date: November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox.
- Other questions: browse related short answers.