While PS5 and Xbox players can already pre-order GTA 6, there is still no release date for the PC version. A former Rockstar producer now explains why even a financially strong studio like Rockstar Games has to allocate its resources strategically—and why console versions always come first.
Consoles First, PC Later
John Ricchio worked on titles including Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3, and GTA 5 before leaving Rockstar Games. In an interview with Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly, he explains the studio’s platform strategy: It always makes more sense to develop first within the constraints of fixed console hardware and then expand the implementation, rather than doing it the other way around. The clearly defined specifications of the PS5 and Xbox thus make optimization easier, while PCs would have to support a much wider range of hardware.
Even large budgets aren’t unlimited
According to Ricchio, the “consoles-first” approach allows the studio to use its “always limited” resources in a targeted manner. As an example, he cites *Red Dead Redemption*, which didn’t appear on Steam until 14 years after its console debut, even though a PC version had existed internally much earlier.
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The delay was a deliberate business decision—regardless of the already generous budgets Rockstar had at its disposal back in the GTA 5 era. His conclusion: When money is spent on one thing, it’s no longer available for something else.
How does this fit with Take-Two’s statements about “unlimited” resources?
At first glance, this assessment seems contradictory in light of earlier statements by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick. He had described Rockstar’s capabilities by referring to “unlimited financial, creative, and human resources” while simultaneously emphasizing his desire to reduce crunch. GTA 6 is still expected to feature a larger open-world environment and AI-driven NPCs, the technical implementation of which is likely to be a challenge even for major studios.
Hope for PC Players
At least Digital Foundry is giving PC gamers hope: According to the editorial team, recent screenshots of GTA 6 show a level of detail that simply cannot be achieved on the PS5 or Xbox—a sign that a high-performance PC version is likely at least in the works. Anyone who’s already thinking about getting a new console by the time the game is released should keep an eye on the upcoming Xbox price increase.
