Devolver Digital co-founder Nigel Lowrie has labeled Rockstar`s forthcoming Grand Theft Auto VI as a unique “AAAAA” title, suggesting it operates on a different level compared to standard “AAA” or even “AAAA” games. In a recent interview, Lowrie emphasized that no other game series rivals GTA`s immense scope, scale, or the cultural impact it generates.
“There are AAA games, then AAAA games, and I`d argue Grand Theft Auto is potentially the AAAAA game. It simply surpasses everything else in its sheer scope, scale, cultural influence, and the global attention it commands.”
This isn`t the first time a game has received an extended `A` rating; Ubisoft previously used “AAAA” to describe Skull & Bones, a designation that subsequently became a source of widespread internet memes and jokes.
Lowrie`s remarks on GTA 6 come as Devolver Digital contemplates delaying some of its own releases to avoid direct competition with the highly anticipated title, which was initially slated for 2025. He described GTA 6`s calendar presence as “blinding,” indicating its dominant market impact. The decision on whether Devolver will indeed push back any games due to GTA 6 is still pending.
Despite the competitive pressure, Devolver playfully announced via social media that it would launch a game concurrently with GTA 6. However, Devolver had recently delayed its game Baby Steps due to the release of Silksong. Addressing skepticism regarding such decisions, Lowrie emphasized his reluctance to jeopardize the careers of developers.
“You can`t A/B test reality. Perhaps Baby Steps would have been perfectly fine releasing on September 8th, it`s possible. But I am not willing to risk the livelihood of this team and the future of a game they`ve dedicated five years to, just to see if both titles can succeed simultaneously. Furthermore, I prioritize their wishes for their game to have its own moment in the spotlight, a sentiment I fully endorse.”
Shifting focus back to GTA 6, Adam Lieb, CEO of the marketing platform Gamesight, informed IGN that the game has exerted a significant and disproportionate influence on the release schedules and strategic planning of video game companies across the industry.
Lieb noted, “For the past eighteen months, Grand Theft Auto has been a factor in nearly every discussion about potential launch dates I`ve been involved in.”
Bloomberg previously reported that the postponement of GTA 6`s release to 2026 brought a mix of reactions: some studios planning titles for Fall 2025 (GTA 6`s original window) welcomed the breathing room, while others found themselves rushing to reassess strategies for their own 2026 releases.
Upon its release, GTA 6 is widely anticipated to achieve extraordinary commercial success. One firm projects sales of 40 million units and revenues of $3 billion within its inaugural year. The game faces immense expectations, tasked with following Grand Theft Auto V, which has already sold over 215 million copies worldwide.