Fans and analysts remain divided over whether Rockstar Games can deliver 60fps performance on current-generation consoles.
Debate over the technical performance of Grand Theft Auto VI has intensified after Rockstar Games released a new set of screenshots, reigniting speculation about whether the highly anticipated title will support 60 frames per second (fps) on current-generation consoles.
The newly released images prompted mixed reactions from fans. Some argued that the visuals appeared less detailed than those shown in previous trailers, while others suggested the screenshots looked too polished to represent actual gameplay.
Rockstar has yet to showcase extended gameplay footage or live demonstrations of the game’s open-world environment, leaving questions about performance largely unanswered.
Technical analysts at Digital Foundry remain sceptical that Grand Theft Auto VI will achieve 60fps on existing console hardware, including Sony’s upgraded PlayStation 5 Pro. The analysts have praised the game’s apparent visual quality and advanced ray-tracing effects but argue that the scale and complexity of its open world could place significant strain on console hardware.
According to Digital Foundry, the PlayStation 5 Pro’s central processing unit (CPU) remains a potential bottleneck. While the console delivers graphical improvements over the standard PlayStation 5, its CPU enhancements are considered relatively modest, limiting gains in simulation-heavy games.
The analysts believe a 40fps performance mode could be the most realistic target for Rockstar at launch.
Further speculation emerged after a product listing from Brazilian retailer Kabum reportedly described Grand Theft Auto VI as being fully optimised for the PlayStation 5 Pro, citing improved performance and more stable frame rates. However, the listing was later removed, and Digital Foundry dismissed the wording as generic marketing text commonly used by retailers rather than official information from Rockstar or Sony.
Meanwhile, rumours suggesting a 60fps mode remains under development continue to circulate. The Polish gaming podcast Rock & Borys recently reported that Rockstar is working on a higher frame-rate option, although the feature could reportedly arrive after launch rather than being available on day one.
The podcast’s claims have attracted attention because its hosts previously reported accurate information regarding downloadable content plans for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Rockstar has historically prioritised visual fidelity over frame rate during major console launches. Both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 debuted at 30fps on console hardware before receiving performance upgrades on newer systems.
With Grand Theft Auto VI expected to be one of the most technically ambitious games ever released, questions surrounding frame rates, graphical quality and console performance are likely to remain a major topic of discussion until Rockstar provides official gameplay details.
