Viral ‘GTA 6’ Leak Video revealed as AI Fabrication, Creator claims ‘Just A joke’
November 27, 2023 – A widely circulated video purporting to show gameplay footage from the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 was revealed to be entirely AI-generated, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the increasing difficulty of discerning real content from synthetic media. The account responsible, X (formerly Twitter) user @zapactugta6, has since deleted the post and offered conflicting explanations for its creation.
The alleged leak, initially shared on TikTok and then amplified by the verified @zapactugta6 account on November 25, showcased a supposed GTA 6 protagonist, Lucia, navigating a detailed open world. the video boasted a “dynamic weather system” and “shockingly lifelike NPCs,” leading manny to believe it offered a first glimpse at the game’s advancements over GTA V.
However, the footage was quickly debunked as a fabrication created using generative AI tools. Following a wave of backlash on their Discord server, Zap Actu GTA6 initially claimed the video was an “experiment” designed to “observe people’s reactions and to demonstrate how easy it has become in 2025 to blur the line between reality and AI-generated content.” In a statement to IGN, the account’s creator stated, “My intention was never to harm anyone. I simply wanted to create something intriguing that could bring people together and spark discussion within the GTA 6 community. I genuinely never expected a single video to generate such massive engagement and reach.”
Later, Zap Actu offered a more dismissive clarification to IGN, stating, “It was a huge joke actually, I did it just to entertain the community. Sorry for the false hope lol.”
The incident highlights a growing trend of AI-generated content being used to mislead online communities, especially surrounding highly anticipated releases like GTA 6, which has faced repeated delays. While Zap Actu claims to have made no money from the video, the account is active on X Premium, a subscription service that allows users with over 500 verified followers and 5 million organic impressions in the last three months to monetize their content – Zap Actu currently has over 4,000 followers.
Experts warn that as AI technology becomes more accessible, instances of deceptive content like this are likely to increase, posing a challenge to online authenticity and requiring increased vigilance from consumers.
