 |
| Banner with Jason from GTA 6 shown |
The wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 is almost over, and the gaming community is now shifting its focus from gameplay trailers to review scores. A new leak has surfaced regarding the exact timing of the GTA 6 review embargo, giving fans a precise window for when the first critical verdicts will hit the internet.
According to reliable ResetEra contributor "BlackBate," who has previously accurately predicted announcements for titles like Pragmata and Microsoft Flight Simulator, the review embargo for GTA 6 will officially lift on November 18.
When Will the GTA 6 Metacritic Scores Go Live?
For eager fans refreshing Metacritic, the magic hour is expected to be around 12:01 PM to 1:01 PM CET (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM EST) on November 18. This timing aligns with Rockstar’s historical pattern, as Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 both saw reviews published roughly 24 hours before their respective launches.
However, there is a twist. The leak suggests that while major outlets will publish their written reviews on November 18, some sites and YouTube channels may be restricted until 12:01 AM EST on November 19—the official launch day.
 |
| GTA 6 review embargo leak shown |
The reason for this split embargo remains speculative. One theory is that Rockstar Games prefers written articles to establish a critical consensus first, allowing video creators to showcase footage only after the game is officially live on digital storefronts. This strategy could also be a measure to prevent story spoilers from circulating via video content before release.
Furthermore, insiders indicate that hands-on previews are unlikely before launch. Content creators have reportedly been invited to watch gameplay demonstrations but were not permitted to control protagonists Jason and Lucia themselves.
Digital Codes and Review Prep
With less than a month to go, reports suggest that Rockstar has not yet dispatched digital Xbox and PS5 codes to media. Sources indicate these codes are expected to arrive either the week of October 26 or early November. This would give reviewers approximately two to three weeks to explore the expansive state of Leonida before the review embargo lifts.
As with all leaks, this information should be treated with a degree of skepticism. However, the consistency of these claims with Rockstar’s past release strategies adds weight to the rumor.
For ongoing discussion and updates on this developing story, you can follow the community conversation on the ResetEra thread tracking insider gaming rumors.