With no new official updates on Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI, AI-generated fake trailers and leaks are flooding social media and search tools. Recent incidents include a viral X post with fabricated footage gaining millions of impressions and Google recommending a phony trailer via YouTube notifications. These examples highlight growing challenges in distinguishing real information online.
Overview of the Issue
The absence of fresh details on Grand Theft Auto VI has created fertile ground for misinformation, amplified by generative AI tools and platform algorithms. Rockstar Games' sequel to the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto V remains delayed, leaving fans eager for any news, which scammers and content creators exploit with ease.
Key Incidents
On Tuesday, the verified X account Zap Actu GTA6 shared what it claimed was leaked gameplay footage from TikTok, praising its 'shockingly lifelike' NPCs and advanced dynamic weather system. The post, which hyped an 'EXTREMELY SERIOUS SITUATION,' racked up over 4.2 million impressions despite being entirely fabricated. This case underscores how quickly false content can spread on platforms like X, formerly Twitter.
Earlier this year, YouTuber Jeffery Phillips conducted a 'challenge' to manipulate Google's AI Overview search tool. By repeatedly posting on X and Reddit about a nonexistent 'twerk button' in Grand Theft Auto VI, he succeeded in convincing the AI to present it as fact. Phillips spent about three months on the effort, starting in July and wrapping up in late September, with minimal daily posts.
Broader Impacts
Google's influence extends to YouTube, where earlier this month, the platform notified thousands of users about a fake trailer titled 'Grand Theft Auto VI – Final Trailer (2026) Rockstar Games.' This AI-crafted fan concept has garnered over 600,000 views, alongside 18,000 downvotes and comments expressing frustration, such as 'No way everyone sent here by Google lmao' and 'Google fucking trolled us lmao.'
Similar issues affect other games, like Trash Goblin, where Google's search results inconsistently provided incorrect gameplay details, frustrating developers. These events illustrate the evolving risks of AI in content distribution, eroding trust in online information sources.