PC gamers waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI have another reason to pay attention to November 19, 2026. While Rockstar’s highly anticipated game is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, a smaller open-world crime game called Phantom Vice Auto is targeting PC players on the exact same day.
GTA 6 Still Has No Confirmed PC Release Date
Rockstar has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026, but the initial release is limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar has not announced a PC release date.
That leaves PC players in an unusual position. While console owners will be exploring the new Vice City and the wider state of Leonida, PC gamers will have to wait for Rockstar to announce when the Windows version will arrive.
The delayed PC release follows Rockstar’s previous approach with major games. Former Rockstar producer John Riccio has also explained that developing first for fixed console hardware can make optimization easier before adapting a game to the much wider range of PC configurations.
Phantom Vice Auto Targets the Same November 19 Date
Enter Phantom Vice Auto, an upcoming crime-focused open-world game from Turkey-based developer Brgames Interactive.
According to information highlighted by Polygon and iXBT Games, Phantom Vice Auto is scheduled to enter Steam Early Access on November 19, 2026 — the same day GTA 6 launches on consoles.
The timing is certainly eye-catching, although the game is not positioned as a direct competitor to Rockstar’s blockbuster in terms of scale or budget.
Instead, it gives PC players something resembling the classic GTA-style formula while they wait for Rockstar’s official PC version.
Three Criminals Instead of Two
Phantom Vice Auto will feature three playable anti-heroes, rather than the two central protagonists of GTA 6.
The game’s premise revolves around a street hustler, a disgraced former agent and a mercenary who become involved in a criminal power struggle inside a corrupt city. Their missions involve crime, conspiracies and dangerous assignments as they attempt to survive and rise through the city’s underworld.
The game is clearly inspired by the open-world crime genre, but its setting and characters are separate from Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto universe.
PC Features and 32-Player Online Mode
Brgames Interactive is also promising several modern PC features.
According to the game’s currently published information, Phantom Vice Auto will support NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR, along with SSD optimization, DirectStorage and 3D spatial audio. The developers are also advertising Phantom Vice Online, a multiplayer mode supporting up to 32 players.
The game is expected to launch through Steam Early Access, meaning players should not necessarily expect the complete final product on November 19.
Why the Timing Is Interesting
The November 19 release date could give Phantom Vice Auto an unusual amount of attention.
On one side, millions of players will be focused on GTA 6. On the other, a large portion of the PC gaming audience will be unable to play Rockstar’s game because a PC version has not yet been announced.
That creates a potentially valuable opportunity for smaller developers.
Whether Phantom Vice Auto can actually satisfy players looking for a GTA-style experience remains to be seen. Competing with Rockstar on graphics, world design, storytelling and overall production quality would be extremely difficult. However, the game’s simultaneous PC release could make it one of the more interesting alternatives for PC gamers on November 19.
GTA 6 Is Already Available for Pre-Order
Rockstar has already opened GTA 6 pre-orders. The Standard Edition costs $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition costs $99.99. The Ultimate Edition includes additional vehicles, weapons, clothing and other content connected to Jason and Lucia’s story.
The game is also scheduled to begin pre-loading on November 12, one week before its November 19 launch. The physical edition will contain a digital download code rather than a traditional game disc.
The PC Wait Continues
For PC gamers, the situation is simple: GTA 6 does not currently have a confirmed PC release date.
But on November 19, PC players will at least have another open-world crime game to try. Phantom Vice Auto may not replace Grand Theft Auto VI, but its same-day Early Access launch could turn it into an unexpected talking point among PC gamers.
For now, Rockstar fans on PC will have to wait for the company to reveal when GTA 6 finally makes its way to Windows.
GTA 6 arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026, while Phantom Vice Auto is targeting a same-day PC Early Access launch on Steam.
