It’s really happening. The Grand Theft Auto VI pre-load went live on November 10, and it is already running on our Xbox. The install screen above shows the download at 209.86GB, just under the 212GB ceiling Rockstar warned about.

The game stays locked until Thursday, November 19. That’s eight days away. Here’s what to sort out before then.

Start the download tonight

Pre-load opened at midnight local time on PlayStation 5, and at 12 a.m. GMT on Xbox Series X|S, which was 7 p.m. Eastern on November 9 for US players. Rockstar says the files need up to 212GB, depending on your console.

That’s a lot of data. On a steady 100Mbps connection, a 210GB download takes close to five hours. At 25Mbps it’s closer to 19. Waiting for launch night is how you end up watching a progress bar while everyone else is in Vice City.

Make room first

The install alone eats a big chunk of a console. On an Xbox Series S, which has about 364GB of usable space, GTA VI takes more than half of it. Base PS5 owners will also want to clear out a few old games before starting.

If you have an external drive, use it for the games you aren’t playing right now, and keep GTA VI on the internal storage.

When it unlocks

Rockstar says the game releases at midnight local time on November 19 in every region, on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-loading only gets the files onto your console. You can’t play early.

Pre-load works with digital copies. The Standard Edition is $79.99, and the digital-only Ultimate Edition is $99.99.

Last call for the pre-order bonus

Buy or pre-order before November 20 to get the Vintage Vice City Pack. Digital copies also come with a free month of GTA+.

The countdown

  • November 10: Pre-load opened on PS5 and Xbox.
  • November 19, midnight local time: GTA VI unlocks.
  • November 20: Last day for the Vintage Vice City Pack bonus.

Even the soundtrack to the wait is getting in on it. Travis Scott’s verse on Future’s new single “Ya Hit” nods to the launch. Eight days. Start the download.

Featured image: GTA VI pre-load on Xbox, photographed by HYPE COMPANY.