By Rockstar has published rules for anyone making GTA 6 content in the run-up to launch and the first days after it. The goal is simple: keep the big story moments and the ending from being spoiled for people who haven’t played yet. Gameplay, clips and machinima are welcome, but leaks of pre-release material, including unboxing videos of physical copies, are off limits, and major spoilers, endings and key cutscenes can be taken down at Rockstar’s request. Key cutscenes are only allowed as part of a full playthrough with commentary.
The rules in short
| What | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Gameplay, clips, machinima | Yes |
| Leaks of pre-release material, including unboxings | No |
| Major story spoilers and endings | Can be taken down |
| Important cutscenes on their own | Can be taken down |
| Key cutscenes inside a full playthrough with commentary | Yes |
What’s allowed
Most of what people will want to post is fine. You can stream and upload gameplay, share clips of chases, crashes and funny moments, and make machinima with the game. Rockstar has always been relaxed about this kind of content, and its general policy on using Rockstar material by fans stays the same. The new rules add a layer on top for the launch window, when spoilers do the most damage.
What can be taken down
The first red line is anything from before release. That covers leaked footage and, specifically, unboxing videos of physical copies, which matters this year because boxed editions reach shops before the game unlocks. Even though the box only holds a code, Rockstar doesn’t want what’s inside, from the manual to the inserts, showing up early.
The second is the story. Big plot reveals, the ending and important cutscenes posted on their own can be removed. The exception is a full playthrough with commentary: there key cutscenes can stay, because they’re part of someone actually playing the game rather than a clip of the twist with a shocked face on the thumbnail.
Why now
The release is staggered by time zone, so for almost a full day some people will be playing while others are still waiting. New Zealand starts first, and the US last, which gives early regions plenty of time to post. That window, explained on our early access by region page, is exactly what these rules are aimed at. Rockstar is asking creators to read the rules in advance so nobody spoils someone else’s first time in Leonida.
How to stay safe from spoilers
If you want to go in blind, the usual advice applies: mute the words “GTA 6 ending” and the main character names on social media for the first week, and avoid video thumbnails with a red circle. Our own story page sticks to what Rockstar has shown in trailers and won’t spoil the plot, and the full story walkthrough will be clearly marked when it goes up.
As a technical artist, I understand Rockstar’s nerves. A cutscene is the most expensive minute in a game: performance capture, animation, lighting and sound for one shot. Watching it out of context in a thirty-second clip wastes all of that work.
FAQ
Can I post GTA 6 gameplay on YouTube?
Yes. Gameplay, clips and machinima are allowed; only spoilers, endings, key cutscenes and pre-release leaks can be taken down.
Are GTA 6 unboxing videos allowed?
Not before release. Rockstar counts unboxing videos of physical copies as leaks of pre-release material.
Can I show GTA 6 cutscenes in a video?
Key cutscenes are allowed as part of a full playthrough with commentary. Posted on their own, they can be removed at Rockstar’s request.