GTA 6 is a single-player game at launch. Rockstar's pre-order post calls it a single player experience coming on 19 November to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation's listing says single-player, one player, with offline play enabled. No online mode, co-op mode or cross-play has been announced.
What you can play on day one
You play the story as Jason and Lucia and switch between them yourself. The second lead is always controlled by the game when you play the other, which is why PlayStation can list the game as one player. How the switching works is in the character switching guide.
PlayStation lists offline play as enabled and Remote Play as supported. PlayStation also says the game is not playable on PS4, and no PC version has been announced.
What about GTA Online?
GTA Online is the online mode of GTA V, and it is still active. Rockstar's Newswire kept carrying GTA Online posts through the summer, including the Kortz Center Heist on 14 July, a Brand Wars event in August and a Business Rivalries event in September. The Kortz Center Heist guide shows what the latest big update added.
Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two is reported by GTA BOOM to have said at the 17 September shareholder meeting that no recurrent consumer spending is anticipated with the GTA 6 launch and that the current GTA Online continues as a strong business. No transcript has been found, so take it as a press report. Rockstar has not said what happens to GTA Online on GTA V after 19 November. Follow the GTA Online statement timeline for new remarks.
GTA+ and the free month
A digital pre-order includes a free month of GTA+, and PlayStation says the pre-order must be made before 20 November. GTA+ is Rockstar's subscription for GTA Online on GTA V, so the month is a perk for that game. It tells you nothing about a GTA 6 online mode. The editions breakdown lists what each edition includes.
Purchases inside the game
PlayStation labels the game as having optional in-game purchases, but no premium currency or shop has been described. The only paid extras named so far are the Ultimate Edition Upgrade, the Vintage Vice City Pack and the GTA+ month. For the full answer, see the microtransactions guide.
Before you buy
The Standard Edition is the complete game, and the Ultimate Edition adds named story items such as vehicles, weapons and outfits spread across Jason and Lucia's story. Neither is described as an online pass, because no online mode exists to sell. Boxed copies hold a download code rather than a disc, so every version needs a large download. Pre-load opened on 10 November, and the pre-load guide covers the steps.
What is still open
- Whether Rockstar will add an online mode to GTA 6 later.
- Whether cross-play, player counts or progress transfer will exist.
- A name, trailer or date for any GTA 6 online mode. "GTA Online 2" is a fan and press label, not a Rockstar name.
What is not announced yet
Rockstar has not announced a multiplayer mode of any kind. If one arrives, this page will add how to join friends, how to play co-op and which features need a subscription. Until then, treat claims of a GTA 6 online launch window as speculation.