Rockstar had to fight to get people to care about GTA 3 at E3, former lead recalls, and now GTA 6 is the most anticipated game of the generation

A former lead at Rockstar revealed that the studio struggled to generate industry interest in Grand Theft Auto 3 during its E3 debut, contrasting sharply with the massive anticipation surrounding the upcoming GTA 6. The retrospective highlights how dramatically the franchise's cultural stature has evolved over two decades.

• Rockstar faced indifference from press and industry when showcasing GTA 3 at E3
• Early previews for GTA 3 were only 'fairly positive' rather than enthusiastic
• GTA 6 now stands as the most eagerly awaited release of the current generation
• The franchise transformed from a struggling underdog to gaming's biggest phenomenon

Based on reporting by Latest from GamesRadar+