Rarely has a video game generated such anticipation. More than ten years after GTA V, Grand Theft Auto VI is now eagerly awaited by millions of players who can’t wait to experience Rockstar Games’ latest blockbuster production. Its launch is also the perfect opportunity to rethink your setup: a more immersive TV, a large-screen and projector, a high-performance audio system, gaming headphones, or even an optimized network connection. To fully enjoy Vice City, its rich environments, and its spectacular scenes, it’s best to have equipment capable of rendering every detail in the best possible conditions.
The GTA steamroller is back
I had just moved into my first apartment when GTA IV was released in 2008. The game was the catalyst that made me splurge on a PlayStation 3, my first flat-screen LCD TV, and my first Sony 5.1 surround sound system. A new era was unfolding before me, with the discovery of high definition, immersive sound, Blu-rays, and a Liberty City whose streets, lights, and countless details seemed to offer a glimpse into the future of video games. GTA IV wasn’t just another title to add to my collection—it single-handedly justified the complete overhaul of my setup. GTA V drove home the point of that generation and provided a smooth transition to the PS4 and Xbox One.
Grand Theft Auto has always had the ability to shake up the hardware market. Each new installment becomes a cultural and technical event significant enough to prompt many gamers to upgrade their console, TV, or audio system. The arrival of GTA VI is expected to have the same effect, as Rockstar Games’ title promises to set the bar very high in terms of visual richness, animation, and immersion. For some consumers, this sixth installment will undoubtedly be the deciding factor in upgrading to a next-generation console, adopting a 120Hz 4K display, or gradually transforming their living room into a true gaming space.
GTA VI will first be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a release date set for November 19, 2026. To date, Rockstar Games has not yet announced a PC version or provided a release window for that platform. However, the studio’s previous releases suggest that PC gamers should be patient: GTA V didn’t arrive on PC until April 2015, about nineteen months after its initial console release, while Red Dead Redemption 2 took a little over a year to arrive. So, to start with, it will only be possible to explore Leonida on a console. PC gamers will have plenty of time to wait for the announcement of a compatible release before splurging on a new graphics card or high-performance monitor.
A TV or a projector for gaming?
To fully enjoy the detailed and spectacular world of GTA VI, a TV remains the most versatile option. We recommend choosing a 4K model capable of displaying a refresh rate of 120Hz (or higher) to enjoy smoother gameplay with compatible games. The presence of HDMI 2.1 ports is also essential for properly harnessing the performance of next-generation consoles, particularly the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with features such as VRR and ALLM.
Not all projectors are necessarily suitable for video games: some models have too much latency or are limited to a refresh rate of 60 Hz. However, more and more projectors now feature gaming modes and impressive performance, with the ability to game in Full HD at 120 Hz or even up to 240 Hz for certain models. These high refresh rates deliver a smoother image and reduce response time, while letting you enjoy a spectacular screen size to explore Vice City on a massive scale. Although still rare, some projectors—such as the Xgimi Horizon 20—even offer VRR for tear-free visuals.
A soundbar or a full home theater system?
The GTA VI soundtrack is expected to make extensive use of 3D audio to accurately recreate the various atmospheres of Leonida. Traffic sounds, dialogue, gunfire, engines, and helicopters can be positioned all around the player to enhance the sense of immersion. A full home theater system is the best way to enjoy this rich soundscape. A setup consisting of an AV receiver, multiple speakers, and a subwoofer will deliver a wide soundstage, precise sound localization, and deep bass that adds impact to explosions and car chases alike. Setups featuring rear speakers and vertical channels also create a true soundscape, though they require a bulkier installation and are generally more challenging to set up.
More compact, a soundbar is an excellent alternative when it’s not possible to set up multiple speakers in the room. Easy to place under the TV and simple to connect via HDMI eARC, it will significantly improve the width of the soundstage, the clarity of dialogue, and the impact of the bass compared to a TV’s built-in drivers. Models compatible with 3D audio can simulate lateral and vertical effects using drivers directed toward the walls or ceiling. Some soundbars can also be paired with a subwoofer and wireless rear speakers to enhance precision and immersion while remaining more discreet and affordable than a full home theater system.
🤓☝️ Note from the expert
Rockstar Games has not yet disclosed the specific details of the GTA VI soundtrack. However, we can hope for Dolby Atmos support upon the game’s release, since the enhanced version of GTA V introduced Dolby Atmos-compatible 3D audio, with improved reproduction of dialogue, music, and sound effects.
Xbox or PlayStation: which is the better choice?
There’s no need to reignite a console war that’s as old as it is pointless: both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have strong selling points. Sony’s console stands out in particular for its many popular exclusives and experiences that take full advantage of the DualSense controller’s features. For its part, Xbox retains a major advantage with Game Pass, whose various subscription plans provide access to vast catalogs of games on consoles, PCs, and compatible devices. The choice therefore depends first and foremost on the games you want to play, but also on how you consume video games: buying individual titles, a preference for exclusives, or subscription-based access to a regularly updated library.
From a purely technical standpoint, the Xbox Series X maintains a slight edge over the standard PS5, with a claimed graphics performance of 12 teraflops compared to approximately 10.3 teraflops for its competitor. However, this gap is too small and too theoretical to serve, on its own, as a real deciding factor: the visible differences depend mainly on the optimization work done by developers and remain minimal for most players.
On the other hand, the PS5 Pro is expected to be the best-equipped platform for enjoying GTA VI at its best right from launch. The game has been officially announced as “PS5 Pro Enhanced,” and this console offers superior graphics performance, improved ray tracing, and PSSR AI-powered upscaling. However, we’ll have to wait for the first side-by-side comparisons to see the exact differences in resolution, frame rate, and graphics quality between the different versions.
GTA VI is already shaping up to be one of the major events of this generation, likely prompting many players to upgrade their console, TV, or audio system. It’s not essential to upgrade everything to enjoy the game, but a responsive screen, immersive sound, and a compatible platform will certainly help you better appreciate the richness of Vice City and Rockstar Games’ technical prowess. Now we just have to wait until the game’s release to find out what it’s really capable of. For my part, having been captivated by GTA IV and then GTA V, I can’t wait to dive back into this world and see if this sixth installment will once again redefine the way we game.
