'Grand Theft Auto 6' release date news: Rockstar Games to start work on next 'GTA' this year?

[photo: Screen Capture/gta6grandtheftauto.com/]

Since speculations suggest that the next game in the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise won't arrive until 2019 at the earliest, Rockstar Games will need to prepare for "GTA VI" as soon as possible as there are other big projects that are also expected to roll out from the developer.

According to IGN, Rockstar Games is preparing to reveal its upcoming projects starting this year and may announce details at the upcoming E3 2016. While the studio has yet to come out with details, it is expected that information will be available about "Grand Theft Auto 6," as well as "Red Dead Redemption 2."

The two are the much-anticipated titles from their respective franchises, and both are under Rockstar Games.

Meanwhile, it seems that aside from the two big projects, Rockstar Games will also be opening yet another series and will start development this year. IBTimes reports that the studio recently put up a job listing on the development of an IP title, so it is expected that the portfolio of Rockstar Games will expand with the addition of another title.

It remains to be seen, though, if the job posting is really for a new game, or just a series installment. The work vacancy is for a QA game tester who will also be tasked to check out the project's gameplay and connections, as the job details specify a need for one who is conversant in the different social platforms like PSN+, Xbox Live, and the studio's own Rockstar Social Club.

Whatever the next project may be, it seems that Rockstar Games will be starting development this year, since it is also confirmed that the studio will not be coming out with new releases until March 2017, when it will reportedly reveal a joint venture with 2K Games.