An exclusive preview of Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the gaming industry’s most eagerly awaited releases, has attracted more than 31 million views after debuting on Netflix ahead of its wider release on online video platforms.

The nearly 27-minute preview was streamed exclusively on Netflix for about six hours before becoming available on YouTube and other platforms. The limited window did little to slow interest in the title, with the video recording 31.1 million views, according to Netflix’s entertainment data platform Tudum.

The preview also emerged as Netflix’s most-watched film offering of the week. The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro and Adam Scott, ranked second with more than 20 million views, while the Spanish-language film Facing El Chapo took third place. Among television programmes, Death of the Pastor’s Wife led the chart with 19 million views, followed by other popular titles including Outer Banks.

The Netflix premiere marks a significant change in how major video games are being promoted. GTA VI is the first upcoming video game to receive marketing exposure through the streaming giant, highlighting the scale of anticipation surrounding Rockstar Games’ latest title.

According to Hindustan Times, the new game is scheduled for release on November 19 and is expected to become one of the biggest entertainment launches in history. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold more than 230 million copies worldwide.

Developed and published by Rockstar Games, GTA VI is set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida. The story centres on Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, a criminal duo drawn into a wider conspiracy after a failed bank robbery.

The game's first trailer, released in 2023, has already generated huge online interest, surpassing 293 million views on YouTube and setting several viewing records.

The excitement surrounding the release has also been accompanied by security concerns. More than a dozen clips from the game reportedly appeared online in the days before the official preview. Take-Two Interactive Software, the parent company behind Rockstar Games, has subpoenaed Discord as part of an effort to identify the person responsible for the leaks.

BOB Post