Major GTA 6 Leak Appears to Reveal Gameplay, Map and New Features

A major new GTA 6 leak has appeared online, seemingly revealing previously unseen gameplay, new gameplay mechanics and what is claimed to be the full map of Leonida just nine days before Rockstar's official Extended Look premieres on Netflix.

The material began spreading online on August 18 and appears to originate from an individual or group calling itself "CYBERLEEK", which has published multiple videos and images allegedly taken from an older build of Grand Theft Auto VI.

Rockstar Games has not publicly confirmed that the material is genuine. However, multiple posts containing the footage have reportedly been removed following copyright complaints, adding considerable weight to its authenticity.

The footage itself also contains unfinished elements and rough interfaces consistent with development footage rather than material intended for public release. According to gaming insider "Nate The Hate", the footage is over a year old.

Jason Plays Basketball

One of the most widely circulated clips appears to show Jason at the safehouse featured at the beginning of GTA 6 Trailer 2.

Jason can be seen leaning against a railing before jumping down into the driveway. A boat resembling the one previously shown by Rockstar is also visible outside the property.

The player then picks up a basketball and is presented with an on-screen tutorial explaining how to take a shot:

"To shoot, aim and hold until the rings overlap, then release."

The footage appears to show the player lining up the shot using overlapping rings before successfully scoring.

After making the basket, Jason's "Focus" stat reportedly increases by 2%, potentially suggesting that completing activities around the world can contribute towards character statistics or abilities.

A basketball icon, score counter and other HUD elements can also be seen during the sequence.

The ball eventually lands in the nearby water, with several outlets highlighting the water physics visible during the sequence.

Driving, Fighting and Police

A second, longer clip appears to provide a much broader look at GTA 6's open-world gameplay.

Jason is shown driving along a highway before turning into oncoming traffic and colliding with a delivery van.

The driver gets out and confronts Jason, leading to a melee fight.

Jason appears to use a combination of punches and a jumping kick before knocking the NPC to the ground. He subsequently picks up a wrench and attacks the character with it, reportedly resulting in a two-star Wanted level.

The sequence continues as Jason attempts to escape, colliding with other vehicles including an ambulance before approaching a helicopter.

The footage potentially offers one of the clearest glimpses yet at how ordinary NPC encounters can escalate into police attention in GTA 6.

Some reports examining the footage have also identified possible "warn" and "defuse" interaction options, although exactly how these systems function remains unclear.

Update #2: Further analysis of the footage by PC Gamer has highlighted several additional details within the police encounter. The interface appears to show three separate ways in which police can identify Jason: his clothing, his appearance and the vehicle he is driving. If interpreted correctly, this could suggest that changing clothes or switching vehicles may help players evade police.

The footage also appears to show a blue stealth indicator which changes as police get closer to detecting Jason, potentially suggesting GTA 6 will provide more feedback about whether the player has been spotted by law enforcement.

Another meter appears while Jason is fighting the delivery driver and progressively decreases as he throws punches and attacks with the wrench. PC Gamer believes this is likely to be a stamina meter. The meter eventually reaches zero and the edges of the screen appear to darken, although exactly how running out of stamina affects gameplay remains unknown.

Six-Star Wanted Levels Could Return

Another particularly interesting detail is what appears to be a six-star Wanted level displayed in the leaked interface.

GTA 5 reduced the maximum Wanted level to five stars, while earlier games including GTA: San Andreas and GTA 4 used six.

If the interface represents the final system, GTA 6 could therefore restore the traditional six-star wanted level.

Other elements visible during the police encounter have prompted speculation that authorities may receive descriptions of the player, their clothing or vehicle rather than simply knowing the player's exact location.

However, footage reportedly originating from an unfinished build could contain systems that have since been altered or removed entirely.

Vehicles May Have Storage and Loadouts

The leaked footage also appears to reveal considerably more functionality for personal vehicles.

When Jason approaches a vehicle, the interface reportedly displays options including "Loadout" and "Storage", with the latter displaying a capacity of "0/4".

This could suggest that players will be able to store a limited number of weapons, items or pieces of equipment inside vehicles.

Such a system would potentially fit with mechanics previously seen in Red Dead Redemption 2, where the player could carry a broader selection of weapons on their horse while maintaining a more limited selection on their character.

A fuel indicator and engine-related information also appear to be visible on the vehicle interface. Whether GTA 6 will actually require players to refuel vehicles during normal gameplay remains unknown, particularly given that the leaked footage may be several years old.

Focus Stat and Possible Reputation System

The basketball footage isn't the only material potentially revealing new character systems.

In addition to the "Focus" stat increasing after Jason successfully scores a basket, reports examining another clip have highlighted what appears to be a devil-like icon after Jason attacks an NPC.

This has prompted speculation that GTA 6 could contain some form of morality, reputation or behavioural system comparable to Red Dead Redemption 2's Honor mechanic.

There isn't currently enough information to determine what the symbol actually represents, however, and it could equally be an abandoned or development-only interface element.

Update #2: PC Gamer notes that the devil-like symbol does not appear immediately when Jason begins fighting the delivery driver, but instead appears after he continues attacking the NPC while the character is already unconscious. While still far from confirmation of a morality or reputation system, the timing could potentially suggest the game differentiates between fighting an NPC and carrying out more extreme actions against them.

Two Separate Money Figures

Update #2: Further examination of the basketball footage has revealed what appear to be two separate money figures in the top-right corner of the screen.

PC Gamer reports that Jason is shown with $39 alongside another figure of $1,643 displayed next to a house icon.

The smaller amount could potentially represent cash being carried by Jason, while the larger figure may indicate money stored elsewhere, although neither interpretation has been confirmed.

A partially filled circle is also visible around the house icon, making it possible that the figure represents something other than simply stored cash.

Brands Visible in the Leaked Gameplay

Update #2: A number of fictional brands and businesses can also reportedly be identified throughout the leaked footage.

• Scoop
• 24/7 Supermarket
• Arrow
• Hamilton Private Health Clinic
• Fast Pass EMS

Scoop appears to be the delivery company associated with the driver Jason fights, while Fast Pass EMS branding can reportedly be seen on the ambulance involved later in the sequence.

Song Heard in the Leaked Gameplay

Update #2: The song heard playing during the driving footage has been identified as "Impact" by SG Lewis, Robyn and Channel Tres.

As with everything shown in development footage, its inclusion does not necessarily guarantee that the song will feature in the final GTA 6 soundtrack. However, if the leaked footage is genuine, it provides another possible indication of music being used during development.

Alleged Full GTA 6 Map Leaks

Alongside the gameplay footage, CYBERLEEK has released images claiming to show GTA 6's full map.

Rockstar has previously confirmed that GTA 6 takes place in the state of Leonida and has officially revealed six major areas — Vice City, Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga National Park — but has never released the complete map.

The newly leaked image appears to divide Leonida into five counties:

• Lummox County
• Kelly County
• Leonard County
• Vice-Dale County
• Mariana County

Vice City occupies the southeastern portion of the alleged map, while significantly larger rural regions extend north and west.

The southern portion appears dominated by wetlands and a substantial chain of islands, while the image also seemingly shows a large airport southwest of Vice City and another airfield located on an offshore island.

If genuine, one of the most striking aspects of the map is just how much of Leonida exists outside Vice City itself.

New Locations Named

Higher-resolution sections of the alleged map have also revealed several previously unknown or little-known locations, including:

• Dalton Island
• Tequesta Retreat
• Gloriana Key
• Catalan Key
• Catalan Bay

Dalton Island appears to be primarily residential, featuring winding roads, waterfront properties, small bodies of water and a marina.

Gloriana Key appears much more industrial, with large storage tanks, service roads and significant road connections.

Catalan Key, meanwhile, appears to contain a sizeable complex featuring looping roads and several circular structures.

The authenticity of the full map deserves particular caution. Some aspects resemble existing community-made GTA 6 map projects assembled using official screenshots, trailers and previous leaks, meaning similarities alone cannot prove the image is genuine.

Who is CYBERLEEK?

The individual or group claiming responsibility has identified itself as CYBERLEEK.

Rather unusually, the source isn't presenting the GTA 6 material simply as a conventional gaming leak.

Instead, CYBERLEEK claims the release is part of a protest against practices within the video game industry, particularly digital pre-orders and the decline of physical ownership.

The group has published what it calls three "commandments", targeting digital pre-orders, content allegedly withheld from games for later sale and the preservation of single-player content.

In statements accompanying the leak, CYBERLEEK claims publishers that violate its demands could be targeted and has threatened further "disruptions".

The source specifically objects to GTA 6 being sold through digital pre-orders while currently not being available as a conventional physical disc release.

It is worth stressing that the source's claims about its motives, identity and access have not been independently verified.

Update #1: The CYBERLEEK website has now been taken offline.

More GTA 6 Leaks Could Be Coming

Perhaps most concerning for Rockstar is that the person or group responsible claims it isn't finished.

Statements attributed to CYBERLEEK threaten further leaks unless publishers change the practices it is protesting against, while also suggesting other companies could potentially be targeted.

There is currently no indication of exactly how the GTA 6 material was obtained, how much additional material the source possesses, or whether any claims about future releases are credible.

The situation is therefore still developing.

Rockstar Appears to Be Removing the Leaks

While Rockstar hasn't issued a public statement addressing the new material, copyright enforcement appears to have begun.

Multiple posts containing the footage have reportedly disappeared, while users have shared notices stating that content was removed following DMCA copyright complaints.

A copyright takedown isn't absolute proof that every image or claim circulating alongside the leaks is genuine. In particular, authentic footage could easily become mixed with fabricated screenshots and claims as it spreads across social media.

It does, however, make the original gameplay footage considerably more credible than the numerous fake GTA 6 leaks that regularly circulate online.

Update #2: The story has since been picked up by a growing number of major gaming and technology publications. GameSpot reported that footage was already becoming difficult to find as copyright removals continued, while also stressing that the separate map image has not been verified and could potentially be a fan creation.

GTA 6 Preview Events Reportedly Underway

Update #2: Separately, Insider Gaming reports that GTA 6 preview events are currently underway.

The publication says it is unclear whether the newly leaked footage has any connection to those events, but considers that unlikely given the quality and apparent development state of some of the material.

There is currently no evidence establishing a connection between the reported preview events and CYBERLEEK, and the leaked footage itself appears to originate from an older development build.

The timing is particularly interesting given that Rockstar's GTA 6 Extended Look is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 27. If media previews are taking place around the same period, considerably more official information about the game could potentially emerge in the near future.

Leak Arrives Just Days Before GTA 6 Extended Look

The timing could hardly be worse for Rockstar.

Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, August 27 at 3pm ET, giving fans what is expected to be their most substantial official look at the game so far.

The presentation will remain exclusive to Netflix for six hours before becoming available through Rockstar's own channels.

The newly leaked material therefore appeared just nine days before one of the biggest scheduled events in GTA 6's marketing campaign.

Whether any of the gameplay mechanics seen in these leaks will also feature in the Extended Look remains to be seen.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Until Rockstar comments on the leak or officially demonstrates these features itself, all of the leaked footage, map information and gameplay details should continue to be treated as unconfirmed.

Sources

• VGC - GTA 6 gameplay allegedly leaks ahead of planned Netflix reveal
• Dexerto - GTA 6 gameplay and map seemingly leaked ahead of Netflix Extended Look
• PC Gamer - GTA 6 gameplay clips and possible full map leak
• PC Gamer - 15 details from the new GTA 6 leaks, including a possible morality system and stamina meter
• GameSpot - Apparent GTA 6 footage and map leak as Rockstar issues takedowns
• The Game Post - GTA 6 full map leak details counties, islands and unseen areas
• The Game Post - Rockstar copyright takedowns add weight to GTA 6 leak authenticity
• Kotaku - GTA 6 gameplay and full map seemingly leak ahead of Netflix reveal
• Kotaku - GTA 6 leaker claims protest against digital pre-orders
• Insider Gaming - GTA 6 leaker threatens Rockstar and other publishers with further action
• Insider Gaming - Alleged GTA 6 gameplay footage leaks online
• VideoCardz - GTA 6 leak reportedly shows six-star Wanted level, fuel system and other features