Finishing Rockstar’s next adventure might be very different from experiencing everything it has to offer. A new report concerning the GTA 6 completion time suggests that players pursuing every trophy and achievement could spend considerably longer in its open world than those focusing on the main storyline.
The information comes from a report published by Insider Gaming on November 15, 2026. Tom Henderson, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the outlet, obtained these estimates from people familiar with the game. However, Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed the figures.
GTA 6 completion time could rival Red Dead Redemption 2
Reaching the credits might represent only a fraction of the entire experience. According to Henderson’s information, earning the Platinum trophy on PS5 or the Mythic achievement on Xbox could require approximately 200 hours of gameplay.
Interestingly, this estimate places Grand Theft Auto VI much closer to Red Dead Redemption 2 than to its immediate predecessor. Based on player-recorded completion times referenced by Insider Gaming, Rockstar’s western averages approximately 196 hours for full completion.
Meanwhile, the reported figure for GTA 6 would more than double the time required to fully complete GTA 5. Nevertheless, a longer experience does not necessarily translate into a more difficult one. The nature of each objective could prove far more important than the number of hours involved.
Rockstar’s wildlife could become a challenge for trophy hunters
One potential obstacle for completionists lies outside the main narrative. Insider Gaming suggests that certain achievements could involve an element of luck, making it difficult to establish a reliable completion estimate for every player.
In particular, players would reportedly need to scan the 170 wildlife species scattered across the map, a detail that emerged in September 2026. This requirement would share similarities with the zoology challenges featured in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Moreover, an earlier GTA 6 trophy leak pointing to 55 achievements already raised questions about the scope of the completion challenge. Neither leak has received official confirmation from Rockstar.
For achievement hunters, the distinction is particularly important. Completing a predictable objective is quite different from searching for wildlife that may not appear precisely when needed. Consequently, some activities could demand considerably more patience than others.
GTA 6 completion time may depend on how players approach the story
Players primarily interested in the campaign could face a different proposition. Henderson reports that the main narrative would take around 50 hours to complete, with nearly 100 missions distributed across five chapters. Insider Gaming notes that this chapter structure first surfaced in 2025.
Individual completion times would naturally vary depending on player skill. However, there is another consideration: optional activities could influence how people experience the narrative itself.
Speaking to The New York Times, Rob Nelson, head of development and co-studio head at Rockstar Games, explained that his February playthrough lasted approximately 80 hours. His experience included both the main storyline and optional objectives with narrative consequences.
This distinction also complements our previous coverage of how GTA 6 progression could shape criminal freedom. From a player perspective, rushing towards the credits might not necessarily be the most rewarding way to approach the adventure.
Rockstar wants players to enjoy the journey at their own pace
Beyond the leaked figures, Nelson’s comments offer an interesting perspective on how Rockstar hopes people will approach its upcoming release. The developer expressed his desire for players to take breaks, enjoy a coffee, have a shower or even spend some time exercising.
Rather than treating the reported completion estimates as targets, players might benefit from approaching the experience without feeling pressured to finish everything as quickly as possible.
Developed by Rockstar Games, part of Take-Two Interactive, Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as confirmed on the official game website.
Until Rockstar provides official information about the GTA 6 completion time, these estimates should be treated with caution. Still, the report raises an interesting question: will reaching the credits be enough, or will exploring everything Rockstar has created become the real adventure?
Creator of the website, Pokemon trainer by nature. Trying to report on everything related to the world of video games, series and movies. Yu-Gi-Oh is my weakness, collecting cards since the dawn of time.
