Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to be one of the biggest games of all time, and not just in terms of hype. As the release date creeps closer, speculation about its storage size is taking over fan discussions.
One of the wilder rumors suggested GTA 6 could take up 750GB of space, which is almost certainly an exaggeration. But even if that number is unrealistic, there’s no doubt that GTA 6 will demand a significant chunk of storage on consoles and PCs.
Recent fan-made cover art for the game displayed a 95GB install size, which many players immediately dismissed as wishful thinking. Given that Red Dead Redemption 2 required around 150GB, it’s almost guaranteed that GTA 6 will exceed that—especially with its rumored expanded open world, improved graphics, and more detailed environments.
So what does this mean for players, and how does game storage size impact gaming as a whole?
Why Are Modern Games So Huge?
Game install sizes have been increasing rapidly, and GTA 6 is unlikely to be an exception. A few key reasons explain why modern titles are so storage-hungry:
- Bigger Open Worlds – More detailed environments require more data, including high-resolution textures, advanced physics, and AI-driven NPCs.
- Better Graphics and Audio – Ultra-HD textures and realistic audio files take up massive amounts of space.
- Day-One Patches and Updates – Many games release with massive first-day updates that increase the total install size.
- Seamless Experiences – Open-world games often pre-load large areas to reduce load times, requiring extra storage.
For reference, here are some of the biggest install sizes from recent AAA games:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) – Over 200GB with updates
- Red Dead Redemption 2 – Around 150GB
- Cyberpunk 2077 – 100GB+ after updates
- Baldur’s Gate 3 – 122GB
Considering GTA 6 will likely push the boundaries of gaming technology, it wouldn’t be surprising if it hits 200GB or more at launch.
What This Means for Gamers
If GTA 6 requires 200GB or more, many players will face tough choices when it comes to managing their storage.
- SSD Upgrades May Be Needed – With PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles only offering around 800GB of usable space, players might need to invest in additional SSD storage.
- Uninstalling Older Games – Some gamers may need to delete older titles just to make room.
- Longer Download Times – Large file sizes mean long wait times, especially for those with slower internet connections.
Will Rockstar Offer a Solution?
Some developers now allow modular downloads, meaning players can install only the parts of a game they need. For example, Call of Duty lets users install multiplayer without the campaign. If Rockstar adopts a similar approach, players might be able to install GTA 6’s single-player campaign separately from online mode, reducing the initial download size.