"Grand Theft Auto, or GTA, is a video game in the action-adventure genre. The series combines driving, shooting and role-playing elements," says Tobias Michael Scholz.

He is an associate professor at the University of Agder (UiA). Scholz researches gaming and is an expert in video games and game development.

There’s always debate about GTA whenever new teasers or versions of the game are released.The debate stems from the game's controversial use of sex and violence. But also, because GTA sets the standard for what you can do in a modern game.

Scholz reminds us that the game is for players 18 and older and intended for adults.

Controversial and innovative game
"The GTA series is controversial primarily due to its depiction of violence, sex and crime. However, the storytelling is innovative and sophisticated. The game pays attention to details which makes it believable and varied," says Scholz.

GTA 5 was released by Rockstar Games in 2013. GTA 6 will be released May 26 2026, marking 13 years since the previous version of the game.

"Rockstar Games takes a long time to develop new versions of GTA. This is reflected in the increasing complexity and refined details required for the game. GTA 6 is being developed using the latest version of the RAGE engine. This means there will be significant technical improvements over the previous version," says Scholz.

A set storyline and a free story you create yourself
"GTA is not a traditional 'who wins' game," says the expert.

Instead, the game presents an open world. Players can largely influence what happens in the game. This freedom is what has fascinated experienced gamers since the first version of GTA was released in 1997.

"Players can choose the extent to which they want to follow the main storyline in addition to exploring the game world on their own," he says.

The main storyline typically involves the protagonist's rise in the criminal underworld. Players can run businesses, complete various missions or simply explore the vast game world.

Revolutionising the gaming world
"GTA revolutionised storytelling in video games," says Scholz.

The game features complex and morally ambiguous characters, along with sharp societal satire.

"The series is known for its advanced character presentation. Characters develop throughout the game in the same way as those in films and TV series," he says.

Technologically, the GTA series paved the way for players to freely move between indoor and outdoor locations.

"The game's environments are realistic, and with advanced use of artificial intelligence, the game can become even more realistic," says Scholz.

He highlights some of the game's innovations so far:

Characteristics and innovations of GTA
The game has provided enormous freedom for players in urban settings, where they can switch between following a story through narrative modules or playing freely.
It set a new standard for the use of professional actors in complete cinematic scenes.
It was among the first games to have a living and realistic city with pedestrians and traffic that reacted to player actions, and weather conditions that changed over time.
The game set a new standard for modern game design, which is now being followed by others.
The game's details make it more realistic than many other video games.

"Each new game in the series pushes the boundaries of what is possible within gaming technology. GTA 6 is expected to set new standards for the use of artificial intelligence. There are likely to be more details that will make the game even more realistic," says Scholz.

He finds it challenging to be more precise about the improvements in GTA 6.

"The promotional clips for new game versions can be misleading," says Scholz.

A satirical game for adults
"GTA presents a heightened, exaggerated and caricatured version of reality. The exaggerations serve as a kind of commentary on societal issues. The satire is obvious to adult players. Particularly its parody of American consumer culture, politics and social media," says Scholz.

GTA presents a fictional world based on reality. The sixth version of GTA will be set primarily in Leonida, a fictional version of Florida. Parts of the game will also take place in the metropolis of Vice City, based on Miami.

"Previous game versions were set in other fictional American cities. The cities are still based on real cities. Liberty City is based on New York, and Los Santos on Los Angeles," says Scholz.

The game has generated massive revenue
Version 5 of GTA has generated over $7.7 billion in revenue since its release in 2013, making it one of the most financially successful products in popular culture.

"The series has had a significant influence on popular culture, impacting music, fashion and broader entertainment. GTA Online has also established a new model for long-term player engagement, contributing additional revenue. These models have influenced how other games manage their content and player engagement as well," says Scholz.