GTA 6 Gameplay Reveal Features Mission from 2022 Leak: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Earlier today, we got our first official glimpse of Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay, and it did not disappoint! Nearly 30 minutes of footage, all captured on a PlayStation 5, premiered exclusively on Netflix. Among the highlights was a nod to the series’ most dedicated fans: gameplay of the diner robbery mission, which had been leaked back in 2022.

To recap, in 2022, before GTA 6 was even officially announced, a significant leak occurred when a hacker released extensive early development footage online. It’s not often we get to see behind-the-scenes content from Rockstar, and with no official trailers or screenshots available at that time, this leak became the only glimpse fans had until the first trailer dropped in late 2023. The scarcity of information and the rarity of such leaks contributed to their rapid spread, particularly a clip featuring Lucia and Jason robbing a diner that gained considerable attention.

The leaked footage understandably looked rough, given that the game was still years away from release. Now, in 2026, we can compare the diner robbery showcased in the recent gameplay reveal with what was leaked back then. As expected, the visuals have significantly improved after four years of development.

The diner’s general layout and visual style remain consistent, still named Hank’s Waffles, with the same “Open 7 Days” sign visible on the window. However, the lighting has seen a major upgrade, NPCs no longer resemble crash test dummies, and both Jason and Lucia appear much more polished.

If we take a look at a different angle from the 2022 leak alongside a screenshot from today’s gameplay trailer, it’s clear that while the basic layout and concept of the diner have stayed the same, the level of detail and polish has greatly enhanced over the years. It would be fantastic to see more of this kind of content from major studios, as it offers an exciting and insightful look into the development of AAA games.

While Rockstar likely wasn’t thrilled about the 2022 leaks (or the recent ones), it’s great to see that someone at the studio recognized the enthusiasm of the dedicated GTA community during the Netflix reveal. They included this subtle nod to the earlier leak, showcasing just how much progress GTA 6 has made since fans first caught a glimpse of it four years ago.

Now, we just have to wait a few more months to dive into the game ourselves. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on PS5 and Xbox on November 19.