News
GTA 6: Release Date Rumors, Gameplay Leaks, & More
Here’s everything we know so far about Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto VI.
Did you know that the trailer for the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 5 was released in 2011? It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years since we first met the protagonists of what would quickly become Rockstar’s most successful release ever.
After selling over 135 million copies, GTA fans are now eagerly anticipating the sixth installment of the series. But how long will we have to wait, and what do we know about the game so far?
The Release Date
Yesterday, Rockstar Games announced that it would reveal the trailer for GTA 6 in early December. This is the first official announcement from the company since admitting that the game “exists” back in February 2022.
Meanwhile, internet sleuths have noted that Take-Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick (GTA’s publisher) has stated that his company would see a “significant (financial) inflection point” in 2025. Could that mean the release of a massive title like GTA VI? We simply don’t know.
We do know that a 2024 release is likely off the cards, however, thanks to a Bloomberg report this summer that revealed “current and former Rockstar staff” expect GTA 6 to be at least 2 years away. With that being said, Microsoft has also confused matters, revealing that “the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released in 2024”.
Gameplay Leaks
Despite the lack of a firm release date, we do have plenty of information on the basics of the game, thanks to several leaks that have since been scrubbed from the internet. The biggest news is that, for the first time ever, one of GTA’s protagonists will be a woman named Lucia. In addition, the series may make a return to the Miami-vice-esq “Vice City”, and most buildings will be enterable, with an even greater focus on heists and robberies.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Video Games Set In The Middle East
Of course, all of the rumors and release dates are subject to change, and the game is definitely a long way away from being playable. However, at least we know that Rockstar is building the game, and we can likely expect another massive hit when it’s released.
News
Influencer Growth Fuels Saudi Creator Economy Surge
The Kingdom’s creator economy grew over 32% in Q1 2025, fueled by TikTok, UGC, and cost-per-action (CPA) influencer models.
Saudi Arabia’s creator economy saw a significant 32.37% growth in the first quarter of 2025, driven by an uptick in influencer marketing, content-driven e-commerce, and the increasing influence of user-generated content (UGC). These insights come from a recent study by Admitad and the Stllr Network.
Much of this momentum is coming from video-based platforms, where brands are leaning on creators who feel more relatable than polished ad campaigns. The trend shows a clear preference for authenticity, as audiences gravitate toward content that feels real and personal.
Mohannad Alzahrani, Co-founder and VP KSA of Stllr Network, highlighted the shift: “The rise of user-generated content (UGC) is changing the way brands engage with consumers. Audiences trust real creators more than traditional advertising, making UGC a key driver of authenticity and sales”.
TikTok remains the dominant platform in this space, reportedly reaching 88% of the Saudi population. It also showed the sharpest rise in influencer-led transactions. Other platforms followed with solid, if less dramatic, growth: X was up 17%, Instagram increased by 12%, and Telegram by 10%.
In terms of content niches, beauty led the pack with a 56% growth rate, followed by lifestyle at 45.8% and fashion at 18.2%. Tech content also showed healthy traction at 10.6%, while entertainment, food, fitness, parenting, and gaming posted smaller — but still positive — gains.
Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2025
The report analyzed more than 300,000 influencer-driven purchases. These efforts translated into a 15% year-on-year jump in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and a 5% increase in the number of orders in 2024. Influencers themselves are seeing the benefit, with average order values hitting $54 and creator earnings rising by 14%.
A noticeable trend is the move away from fixed-rate deals. More influencers in Saudi Arabia are embracing hybrid compensation models — especially cost-per-action (CPA) setups that tie their earnings directly to performance.
As Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad, explains, “The CPA model brings much-needed transparency to influencer marketing. Brands only pay for actual results, and influencers benefit by securing long-term partnerships while offering their audiences exclusive promo codes and special discounts”.
However, the ecosystem still shows a gender imbalance. The data indicates that 63% of creators in Saudi Arabia are men, while women account for just 37%.
Influencer Growth Fuels Saudi Creator Economy Surge
Dubai Integrates LiDAR & Digital Twins For Road Management
Starlink Launches Satellite Internet Service In Jordan
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
