There are few games, if any, outside the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise that could have sustained the relevance and anticipation surrounding it over the 13 years and counting it has taken Rockstar Games to deliver its latest instalment, GTA 6.

Despite the incessant postponements, anticipation for the game has never waned. If anything, it has only grown significantly. And finally, come November 19, the wait will be over. It has been 13 years of wondering, waiting and trying to find solace in similar games, but none of these substitutes was ever going to fill the void.

So, to ensure you don’t wait a second longer than necessary to get into Vice City when the game launches, The Grid has put together three things you should know.

1. Space… About 212 GB Worth of It

Pre-loading begins on November 10, but there’s a catch: GTA 6 will require up to 212 GB of available console storage. If you’ve got several games installed, you may need to delete titles you no longer play or move some to external storage.

However, not every external drive will do the job. While you can store PS5 games on an external USB drive, you cannot play them directly from it. You’ll need to transfer them back to your console’s internal storage or install a compatible M.2 SSD.

The same applies to Xbox Series X|S optimised games, which cannot run directly from ordinary USB external drives. If you need additional playable storage, you’ll have to consider a compatible expansion card.

2. A Heavy Download Awaits, Even With a Physical Copy

With a game this large, your internet connection and data allowance matter just as much as your available storage.

If you’re on a limited data plan, you may need to purchase additional data or consider a more suitable internet plan. Your download speed will also determine how long it takes to get the game ready.

You have nine days between the start of pre-loading and the November 19 release to download the game. Take advantage of this window rather than wait until launch day, particularly if you have a slower internet connection.

There’s also something you should know if you’re planning to purchase a physical copy of GTA 6: it won’t actually come with a game disc. Rockstar has confirmed that the physical edition will contain a download code inside the box, which you’ll need to redeem to download the game onto your console. So, even if you prefer buying boxed games, you’ll still need a reliable internet connection and enough storage space to install GTA 6.

3. Your Console and Account Compatibility

Before spending money on GTA 6, make sure your console can actually run it. The game is launching exclusively on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. If you’re still using a PS4 or Xbox One, you’ll need to upgrade to have access.

Additionally, pay attention to regional restrictions when purchasing digital download codes. Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 redemption codes for PlayStation 5 are region-locked, meaning the region of your code must match your PSN account. Xbox Series X|S codes, however, do not carry the same restriction.

If you’re buying from a third-party retailer, check these details before making payment. The last thing you want is to spend money on a game code you cannot redeem.