GTA 6: leak points to November 18 as the review embargo date
A ResetEra leak claims Metacritic scores will go live on the morning of Nov. 18, a day before launch — though some outlets may be held back until release day.
What the leak claims
According to a report published by Notebookcheck on October 24, 2026, ResetEra forum user BlackBate — who has a track record of accurate predictions for releases like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Death Stranding — has identified November 18, 2026 as when the Grand Theft Auto VI review embargo will lift, one day before the game's official November 19 launch.
Per the leak, Metacritic scores should go live between roughly 12:01 and 1:01 PM CET (6-7 AM ET). Some sites and YouTube channels, however, may need to hold their coverage until 12:01 AM ET (6:01 AM CET) on launch day itself, November 19.
Why the rollout is staggered
The leak, originally reported by Insider Gaming and amplified on ResetEra, doesn't officially explain why some outlets get more lead time than others. One theory floating around is that Rockstar Games prefers written reviews to establish critical consensus first, holding back video content — which may contain story spoilers — until the game is actually available to players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Another possibility is that priority simply goes to larger publications.
Insider NateTheHate, another source with a solid track record in the industry, has also claimed Rockstar should start sending digital review codes to press either the week of October 26 or in early November, giving critics two to three weeks to explore Leonida's open world before scores go live.
What this means for fans counting down to launch
If the leak holds up, the public would get its first look at professional GTA 6 scores roughly 24 hours before being able to play the game themselves — a pattern similar to what happened with GTA V (2013) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018), both of which saw critics get early access and publish reviews the day before launch. As with any leak, the outlets reporting it urge fans to treat the specific date with caution until Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive confirm it officially.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are GTA 6 reviews expected to go live, according to the leak?
The leak points to November 18, 2026, around 6-7 AM ET, one day before the game's official launch on November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Who made this prediction, and is it reliable?
The prediction comes from ResetEra forum user BlackBate, who has built a track record of correctly calling dates and announcements for other major releases, including Microsoft Flight Simulator and Death Stranding, since 2021. Still, Notebookcheck and other outlets stress this is unconfirmed information.
Why would some sites and channels have to wait until launch day to publish?
There's no official explanation from Rockstar Games, but the leading theory is that the publisher prioritizes written coverage to set the initial critical consensus, only later clearing video content — which could carry story spoilers — once the game is publicly available.
When is the press expected to receive game access codes?
According to insider NateTheHate, distribution of digital PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S codes should begin the week of October 26, 2026 or in early November, giving critics two to three weeks of access before scores are published.
Is this embargo pattern similar to other Rockstar games?
Yes. Both Grand Theft Auto V (2013) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) had critic scores published the day before launch, so the leaked GTA 6 timeline would be consistent with Rockstar Games' recent track record.
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