What Age Rating Will GTA 6 Receive and Why It Matters
- Sagar Mankar
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
When Grand Theft Auto VI launches next year, one of the most important details for players and parents alike will be its official age rating. While the ESRB hasn’t published its classification yet, history and early international ratings give us a strong idea of what to expect.
Every mainline GTA game since Grand Theft Auto III has carried an M for Mature (17+) rating in North America. That consistency is no accident. Rockstar’s flagship series has always leaned into gritty realism, satirical humor, and controversial themes. From violent shootouts to explicit language and depictions of drug use, the franchise has never shied away from adult content.
Adding to the speculation, Australia’s classification board already rated GTA VI as MA15+ back in April 2023, citing strong sex scenes and drug use. While regional systems differ, that rating aligns closely with the ESRB’s Mature category. It’s a strong signal that GTA VI will continue the series’ tradition of being designed for adults.
Based on the series’ history and Rockstar’s creative direction, here are the likely factors:
Intense Violence and Gore: Gunfights, car chases, and missions involving criminal activity are staples of the series. Blood effects and occasional brutal sequences are expected.
Sexual Content and Nudity: Strip clubs, implied sexual acts, and adult humor have been part of past entries. GTA VI is likely to include similar material.
Drug and Alcohol Use: Cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol consumption have been depicted in earlier games, often tied to character behavior or storylines.
Profanity and Mature Humor: Strong language, crude jokes, and satirical takes on politics, media, and culture are almost guaranteed.
Morally Challenging Scenarios: Rockstar often includes missions that push ethical boundaries, from interrogations to questionable choices.
Until the ESRB makes it official, the safest bet is that GTA VI will carry the same Mature 17+ label as its predecessors, with all the adult themes and provocative storytelling Rockstar is known for.
Who Decides These Ratings?
The ESRB has been rating games since 1994. In 2024 alone, it reviewed nearly 5,000 titles, with most falling under the “E for Everyone” category. GTA, however, sits firmly at the opposite end of the scale.
ESRB Rating Categories
For clarity, here’s a quick breakdown of the ESRB’s rating system:
E (Everyone) – Suitable for all ages.
E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) – Content generally suitable for ages 10 and up.
T (Teen, 13+) – May contain violence, suggestive themes, or mild language.
M (Mature, 17+) – Intense violence, blood, sexual content, strong language, drug/alcohol use.
AO (Adults Only, 18+) – Prolonged intense violence, graphic sexual content, or real-money gambling.
RP (Rating Pending) – Awaiting final ESRB rating.
RP/M (Likely Mature) – Used for promotional purposes when a game is expected to receive an M rating.
It’s important to note that while the ESRB system is technically voluntary, all major console makers, retailers, and digital storefronts require ratings before a game can be sold.
The original GTA had no rating, while GTA II received a T for Teen rating. The rest of the series has been rated M for Mature, except for the 2004 San Andreas game, which was briefly rated AO (Adults Only) due to the infamous "Hot Coffee" controversy.
GTA 6 is set for release on May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. With projections of more than 40 million copies sold in its first year, the game will be one of the biggest entertainment releases of the decade.
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