Rockstar Games will give Netflix exclusive first access to an extended preview of “Grand Theft Auto VI” on 27 August, before releasing it online six hours later. The arrangement positions the forthcoming game as a major entertainment event alongside film, television and sport, illustrating Hollywood’s increasing interest in gaming itself rather than only adaptations of game franchises.

The game has been in development for over a decade, while its first two trailers received 288 million and 176 million YouTube views respectively. Netflix reportedly pursued the deal to participate in a major cultural moment; analysts expect “GTA 6” to generate between $3.3 billion and $5.2 billion in worldwide sales in its first week, although neither company disclosed financial terms.