GTA VI IN THE NEW "IT HAPPENS ON PS5" AD: EVERY HIDDEN DETAIL
Sony just dropped a massive new commercial, and the GTA VI snippets feature some very interesting changes.
Sony has officially launched its new global campaign titled "It Happens on PS5," highlighting the biggest games currently available and coming soon. While the ad features massive upcoming titles like Marvel's Wolverine, 007 First Light, and God of War Laufey, the internet is entirely focused on one thing: the Grand Theft Auto VI snippets.
While the commercial doesn't show brand-new gameplay sequences, Rockstar and Sony didn't just copy-paste from Trailer 2. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted several subtle but significant differences in the footage that might give us a glimpse into the game's ongoing development.
THE 4 MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PS5 AD
Here is everything the community has found so far by analyzing the snippets frame-by-frame:
- The Letterboxing is Gone: In Trailer 2, the intense getaway car scene with Lucia driving had cinematic black bars (letterboxing). In the new PS5 ad, the scene is presented in glorious full screen (16:9), revealing previously hidden visual details on the edges of the frame.
- A New Trunk Sound Effect: The famous scene showing Jason and Lucia looking out from the inside of a car trunk now features a distinct, brand-new sound effect of the trunk closing.
- Lighting and Color Grade Tweaks: The overall presentation of the getaway scene seems lighter and features a brighter color grade compared to its original Trailer 2 appearance.
- Changes to Lucia's Model: Fans noticed minor differences in Lucia's face during the ad; her hair color appears slightly browner, and her eyebrows look less pronounced.
DOWNGRADE DEBATES & DISC PROTESTS
Of course, it wouldn't be a GTA VI update without some controversy. The new lighting and lack of cinematic bars have sparked the usual "graphics downgrade" debate, with some users calling the footage rougher than the original trailer.
Additionally, the comment sections for the ad are being flooded by angry PlayStation fans protesting Sony's recent decision to kill physical disc production in January 2028. Players are using the slogan "Discs used to happen on PS5" to hijack the campaign.
THE WARM-UP FOR AUGUST 27
Ultimately, this Sony ad is just the appetizer. It serves to remind the massive PlayStation player base of the exclusive marketing partnership between Sony and Rockstar. The main course arrives in just a few days on August 27, when the Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look premieres on Netflix.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Did you catch the new trunk sound effect, or do you think the community is starving for marketing right now? Do you prefer the cinematic letterboxing of Trailer 2 or the full-screen view shown in the PS5 ad?
Drop your thoughts below!
The marketing machine is waking up.
NEXT STOP: AUGUST 27.
ANALYZE EVERY FRAME ON VICEHARBOR.
