Grand Theft Auto 6: 2019 notifications are a hoax, says Rockstar

2019 is not the release window for GTA 6 after all, despite what in-game notifications might be saying.

GTA 5 is still one of the most popular computer games out there today, even five years after its release. And regular updated content to the multiplayer GTA 5 Online have helped to keep it fresh and the interest high.

Having said that, GTA fans are definitely ready for some new scenes and challenges as the years pass by.

There were some faint hopes that Rockstar Games would reveal something about the release window at last month's E3 2018 in LA. But that came and went without any word.

Then hopes were raised again by a recent notification in the GTA 5 Online that suggested the game would be releasing in 2019.

GTA Online players reported on Reddit and GTA Online forum threads that in-game notifications had appeared, telling them 'Rockstar Message GTA VI Coming 2019.'

But Rockstar has come out to confirm that these messages are not from official channels and are therefore fake - a big disappointment for fans who have been waiting a long time for an official word from Rockstar on the arrival of the game.

Rockstar said in a tweet that the hoax was the result of someone using mods.

So for now at least, we need to keep on waiting. It's still possible we will hear something this year as it's the fifth anniversary of GTA V on September 17 and game developers normally like to offer their loyal players some treats around anniversaries.

But they've been so quiet on GTA 6, don't be surprised if this year ends without any announcement.

It may be that the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 is sucking all of their focus. The original game is also hugely popular and the sequel is due to release on October 26, 2018. Maybe that will free up more of their time once it's passed and we'll hear something soon after that.

But for now, probably the safest piece of advice is: don't expect anything soon.