Shirrako palm tree emoji sparks GTA 6 review copy rumor

Part of the GTA 6 community has concluded, from a palm tree emoji posted on X by YouTuber Shirrako, that Rockstar has already sent review copies to creators. Pasquale Pillitteri reported that some accounts describe a controller alongside the palm tree, while GTA BOOM describes only a single palm tree. There are no words or game footage in the post, and Rockstar has never mentioned review copies or an embargo.

A fan account covering GTA 6 updates reposted the post on October 25 and wrote that review copies may already be out. Pasquale Pillitteri reported that the repost reached 580,000 views in a little over a day. Neither outlet gives the date of the original post.

According to Notebookcheck, as cited by Pasquale Pillitteri, Shirrako's YouTube channel has about 2.6 million subscribers.

A leak picked up by Notebookcheck expects GTA 6 reviews on November 18, the day before launch. Pasquale Pillitteri reported that NateTheHate, whom Notebookcheck considers reliable, pointed to the end of October for review codes. Both claims remain unconfirmed.

GTA BOOM reported that a closed-door July visit to Rockstar North by a small group of creators involved hands-off demonstrations and no hands-on play, and that Shirrako was not among those invited. GTA BOOM also reported an unconfirmed rumor that TGG received a copy after posting a recently played games screen.

Pasquale Pillitteri reported that GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and that a PC version has not been announced. It is not known whether any creator has a copy, when reviews will publish, or whether the palm tree refers to anything at all.