Rockstar North CEO Rob Nelson said the studio feels nervous about meeting expectations for Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. He told IGN that the team avoids dwelling on pressure and aims to create an experience that builds on previous titles while feeling familiar.

Nelson said internal pressure is greater than any external expectations, noting that the game’s large world and detailed simulation represent a notable advancement for the franchise.

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick said Rockstar has focused on quality, seeking perfection and preferring to delay release rather than compromise on polish, despite the tension between market timing and development goals.

Analysts project that preorder revenue could reach $2 billion at launch, potentially offsetting the game’s development expenses.

The title will conclude a development period that began after the 2013 release of Grand Theft Auto V.