Rockstar Revives Classic Strategy for GTA 6 TV Series Development

After years of anticipation, leaks, and speculation, Rockstar Games has finally unveiled the first gameplay footage of Grand Theft Auto 6, the highly awaited sequel that promises to be a monumental entry in gaming history. Among the highlights of this extensive reveal was a humorous commercial for a parody fast-food chain, reminiscent of Arby’s. It was amusing, but for those who have spent time in Red Dead Redemption II, it might have felt a bit familiar. That’s because Rockstar tapped into RDR 2 to craft that ad.

During the nearly 30-minute gameplay showcase of GTA 6, I noticed something peculiar in a commercial for a ridiculously oversized sandwich featuring a mix of animals like deer, warthogs, and rabbits. As I watched, I thought, “Hey, I recognize those deer! Those warthog models look familiar!” It didn’t take long for the community to confirm my suspicions: Rockstar indeed utilized assets from Red Dead Redemption 2 for that commercial. In fact, a keen-eyed Reddit user pinpointed the exact location in RDR 2 where the footage was filmed.

This isn’t the first instance of Rockstar recycling elements from its previous titles for new projects. The practice dates back to GTA IV, released in 2008, where players could watch TV shows that included ads and programs featuring references to GTA: San Andreas, including scenes from Las Venturas during a poker tournament. You could also spot Bullworth Academy from Bully in GTA IV.

In Grand Theft Auto V, players can catch a movie in theaters that parodies arthouse films, showcasing clips from Red Dead Redemption and even featuring the Statue of Happiness’ giant heart, an Easter egg from GTA IV.

It’s no surprise that Rockstar has once again employed this strategy for GTA 6. It’s a practical approach; instead of building an entire wilderness and animating numerous animals for a brief ad, they can simply film it in a modified version of RDR 2. This method also allows them to produce TV content and movies within completed games while still developing the new title. Plus, it gives fans like me the thrill of discovering Easter eggs and connections to other games.

I have a hunch that when GTA 6 launches in November on PS5 and Xbox, we’ll see more cameos from other Rockstar titles on the in-game TV, perhaps featuring Los Santos from GTA V or even some zombie action from Red Dead’s Undead Nightmare DLC. I’m genuinely excited to watch TV in GTA 6, which is a strange admission, but here we are.