The Grand Theft Auto series continues to heavily influence the industry, as many have been quick to parody the colorful teaser template Rockstar used last week to announce the date and time for the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6.
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) December 1, 2023
Specifically, game development studios have hopped on the trend, posting images using the same sunset-esque colors to announce when to expect new information on a game they are working on. 343 Industries was among the first to parody the template, borrowing the same vibrant color aesthetic to announce a new trailer for Halo Infinite drops on December 4.
— Halo (@Halo) December 1, 2023
Sea of Thieves developer Rare also used the template to announce that new information will be available on its pirate-themed game on December 7. While it did not specify what time exactly, given The Game Awards falls on this day, it may be one of the many announcements set to appear during the show.
— Sea of Thieves (@SeaOfThieves) December 4, 2023
Studios under the Activision Blizzard umbrella were quick to strike while the iron was hot. The official Overwatch X account used the template to announce and tease the time and date for a trailer for Overwatch 2's eighth season.
?https://t.co/bOvLZ9kAis pic.twitter.com/qUE8Do6Ldo
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) December 2, 2023
Raven Software took advantage of the trend to promote the launch of Season 1 for Call of Duty Warzone.
— Raven Software (@RavenSoftware) December 2, 2023
Mediatonic, the studio behind Fall Guys, replicated the template as well. While it did not use the same colors or anything akin to a sunset in the background, the image did replicate the format and structure that Rockstar used to tease info on a new trailer, along with the date and time for when it will be publicly available.
— Fall Guys (@FallGuysGame) December 1, 2023
I'm merely scratching the surface, though, as developers are not the only ones using the template to create their own parody images. For example, Walmart Canada Gaming's X account used the template to remind everyone that its retail chain sells games 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
— Walmart Canada Gaming (@WalmartCAGaming) December 2, 2023
Not to mention, gamers and fans of other franchises have taken it upon themselves to parody the GTA 6 teaser trailer image. One user on the Manhunt subReddit, for example, made a Manhunt 3 poster teaser inspired by the GTA 6 aesthetics.
X/Twitter users have also had a field day, using the template to reshare news, such as Phil Spencer name-dropping Banjo-Kazooie in a recent interview or confirmation that Destiny 2: The Final Shape was delayed to June 4, 2024. Or one Assassin's Creed fan account that made one for the upcoming project simply known as Codename Red.
Don't forget that ! pic.twitter.com/VNjQYh1VnT
— Psychobaker (@Psychobaker_24) December 4, 2023
— Destiny Bulletin (@DestinyBulletn) December 3, 2023
Here we go!! AC Day Trailer! Check out the details in ALT for #AssassinsCreed Codename Red!⚔️? pic.twitter.com/Ti7WqFBwdP
— AC: Landmarks (@ac_landmarks) December 3, 2023
Nevertheless, we have less than 24 hours to go until Rockstar shares the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6. While details on the game are slim, leaks are already out in the wild. And fans are already speculating what the three birds in the image signify and where the game might take place.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
