The most monumental video game ever resembles a cinematic experience.

I think I understand why Rockstar Games chose to unveil its “extended look” at Grand Theft Auto VI on Netflix rather than just dropping it on YouTube. This nearly 27-minute preview felt less like a typical video game trailer and more like a segment from a high-end crime drama. With the goal of creating a game that could last another decade and potentially match the success of its predecessor, Rockstar is clearly aiming to further merge the worlds of Hollywood and gaming.

The boundary between games and films has been increasingly blurred. Take this year’s James Bond game, 007 First Light, which boasts the pacing, acting, and cinematography reminiscent of a thrilling action movie. Moreover, films and TV shows are increasingly drawing inspiration from video games, with entire franchises emerging from successful gaming titles. Now, a video game trailer has found its place alongside prestige TV and blockbuster films—after watching the GTA VI preview, Netflix even suggested I check out Breaking Bad next.

While Rockstar is keeping the plot details of GTA VI under wraps, the preview provides a glimpse into the story: it follows protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos as they navigate Vice City. The tightly edited video alternates between cutscenes and actual gameplay, showcasing the duo engaging in classic GTA-style antics: evading police during shootouts, executing high-stakes heists, and, of course, a fair amount of gunplay. Yet, it also captures quieter moments, like casual car conversations and playful arguments over outfit choices.

This video isn’t just a continuous gameplay segment, as is common in many deep dives. Instead, it artfully transitions between various scenes, storylines, and characters, giving viewers a sense of what to expect. While I didn’t grasp every detail, by the end, I had a clearer picture of who these characters are and the vibrant city they inhabit. It felt, in many ways, like snippets from a film.

GTA VI will undoubtedly remain a video game at its core. Rockstar has invited select outlets to preview the game, revealing details about its expansive map, the six-star Wanted system, increasing challenges for car theft, and responsive NPCs. These elements promise to create a vast sandbox experience, building on the immersive worlds established in previous titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. For this extended look, however, Rockstar chose to emphasize setup, action, and dialogue, prioritizing narrative and atmosphere over gameplay mechanics. It’s a distinctly cinematic approach.

Perhaps I’m overanalyzing a video game trailer. I recognize that part of this Netflix presentation is simply marketing—likely a strategy to attract new subscribers. Plus, the trailer isn’t exclusive to Netflix; Rockstar is allowing creators to share reaction videos and will also release the extended look on its YouTube channel and website at 9 PM ET.

But the anticipation for GTA VI is palpable. Thirteen-year-old GTA V has sold over 230 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games ever. Rockstar’s previous trailers for GTA VI have garnered hundreds of millions of views, and GTA Online continues to be a significant revenue generator. With a game that has been in development for years, Rockstar is poised to deliver something truly special, especially with the competition from Netflix’s offerings. If Thursday’s preview is any indication, GTA VI could shake things up when it launches on November 19th.