Photo: Technizo Concept YT
Sony recently teased the long-awaited and rumored PlayStation 5 Pro in official 30th anniversary artwork. Additionally, rumors of a PS5 Pro Enhanced version of Grand Theft Auto VI have begun to swirl. On top of all that, Rockstar Games is having a huge sale on Steam. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dig in.
On the official PlayStation Blog, you’ll find a September 5 article about Sony’s video game franchise celebrating its 30th anniversary. The main image features a bunch of semi-transparent gray icons in the background with past PlayStation hardware and accessories, including the PS3 “George Foreman Grill,” Dualshock 4 and DualSense controllers, a Move rifle attachment, the PSP, and other minor hits from the past.
However, if you look straight in the middle, right where the bottom of the semicircle of the “3” is, you'll notice a console you've never seen before. Fortunately, thanks to a famous and reliable industry leaker nicknamed “billbil-kun,” we've known for a while that this is, in fact, the shape of the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro. In other words, Sony is finally admitting that the improved console is real through this tongue-in-cheek tease.
A few days ago, another rumor came from @RedGamingTech on Twitter/X saying that, “I can confirm that I’ve heard (and mentioned in a video) that Sony will be using GTA6 to heavily market the PS5 Pro. Don’t take this as confirmation, though: take it with a grain of salt until it’s announced.“
Photo: PlayStation
Also, let’s not forget the Grand Theft Auto VI 30 vs. 60 fps debate; this is where the PS5 Pro could shine. Rumors suggest the beefed-up console has up to 45% more GPU power, along with its upscaler, PSSR or PlayStation Spectral Resolution. The CPU only gets a maximum speed boost of 10%, which limits its power, but that’s for the folks at Digital Foundry to assess.
We all know that Grand Theft Auto VI will initially only be available for the current-gen consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The first and only trailer (so far) runs at 30 frames per second, but the release version may feature a 60fps Performance mode. Unfortunately, Rockstar hasn’t said anything about this yet.
In any case, one thing is for sure: the PlayStation 5 Pro can improve resolution and add more frames. So, theoretically, if the standard version of the console doesn't have a 60fps Performance mode, the Pro will try to please hardcore gamers who don't want anything to do with 30fps in 2024. Otherwise, what's the point of a PS5 Pro?
That said, things aren’t always as simple as they seem. Take Red Dead Redemption II, which Rockstar hasn’t updated yet. Even if you own a PlayStation 6, it will still run the PS4 version at 30fps. In other words, the PS5 Pro may be able to run GTA 6 at 10K resolution and 1,000 frames per second, but it’s up to the developer and publisher to provide an update that takes full advantage of the new hardware.
Adding up all these leaks, rumors, and whatnot, it makes perfect sense that all parties involved would promote each other. So, the PS5 Pro box with GTA VI artwork isn't that far-fetched, but imminent.
Photo: Rockstar Games
If you're wondering why Xbox isn't part of the discussion, the company has said it's already focused on the next-generation Xbox, implying there won't be a PS5 Pro counterpart from the green team. While Sony has yet to fully reveal its next console, time is running out, and rumors suggest we'll see it by the end of the month, if not sooner.
If you own a PC and are itching for GTA VI, you’ll likely have to wait about 6-12 months after its initial fall 2025 release before it finally hits the old mouse-and-keyboard platform. In the meantime, there are plenty of other Rockstar games you can play on PC, given Steam’s current massive sale. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition is just $6, down from $12. GTA V Premium Edition is 63% off at $15, down from $40.
Max Payne 1 and 2 are $3.50 each, down from $10, while Max Payne 3 is $6, down from $20. LA Noire is 70% off at just $6, down from $20, while the VR Case Files version is $30. Arguably the best-produced video game title in the world, Red Dead Redemption 2 is down 60%, from $60 to $24, which is a steal given the massive amount of content it offers.
Let’s not forget the classic hit, Bully, which is only $3.50, down from $10. The Rockstar Games sale only lasts until September 12, so there’s plenty of time to check out these awesome, genre-defining titles if you don’t already own them all.
If you don't have a PC but want to play older Rockstar titles, you might want to consider the $8 monthly GTA+ subscription, available exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. In addition to your monthly GTA Online bonuses, you'll also get access to Bully, LA Noire, Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare, GTA Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, GTA Liberty City Stories, and GTA Chinatown Wars.