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GTA VI Delayed Again: Here’s What We Know So Far

gta vi delayed

Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) from its originally anticipated launch in fall 2025 to May 26, 2026. This announcement, made on May 2, 2025, marks a significant shift in the game’s release timeline, extending the wait for fans by several months.

The delay stems from Rockstar’s commitment to ensuring that GTA VI meets the high-quality standards expected by its player base. In a statement shared on their official website, the company expressed regret over the postponement but emphasized the necessity of additional development time to deliver a polished and immersive gaming experience.

This is not the first time Rockstar has postponed a major title; previous games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V also experienced delays before their eventual releases. Such decisions, while disappointing to eager fans, often result in critically acclaimed and commercially successful products.

The updated release date places GTA VI’s launch in the second quarter of 2026, a period that may now see adjustments in the broader gaming industry’s release schedules. Competitors might reschedule their own launches to either avoid clashing with GTA VI or to fill the gap left by its delay.

Despite the extended wait, anticipation for GTA VI remains high. The game’s setting in a virtual version of South Florida, inspired by Miami (known as Vice City), and the introduction of new characters have generated substantial excitement since the trailer’s debut in December 2023.

As the new release date approaches, fans continue to express their enthusiasm and patience, hopeful that the additional development time will result in a game that lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, addressed the delay in GTA VI during a recent investor update, acknowledging its financial implications while expressing full support for Rockstar’s decision.

We fully support Rockstar Games taking the additional time needed to bring their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI to life,” said Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two.

This game is poised to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that goes beyond audience expectations. While we understand the weight of moving our release schedules—especially for a title as anticipated as GTA VI—we remain committed to delivering excellence.”

Despite the shift in release plans, Take-Two maintains an optimistic financial outlook. The company still expects strong growth and record-breaking net bookings across fiscal years 2026 and 2027, thanks to a robust lineup of upcoming titles.

Though GTA VI won’t be launching this year, Take-Two’s release calendar remains strong, with major titles like Mafia: The Old Country, Borderlands 4, and its usual lineup of sports games still on track for 2025.

All eyes are now on Take-Two’s next earnings report, set for May 15, which is expected to provide more detail on how the company plans to sustain growth despite the GTA VI delay.

The previous entry in the franchise, Grand Theft Auto V, holds the title of the second-best-selling video game of all time, and its popularity shows no signs of fading—largely due to the continued success of GTA Online.

Since the reveal trailer for GTA VI dropped in December 2023, official information has been scarce. Yet that 90-second teaser was enough to send the internet into a frenzy, amassing over 100 million views within days. The trailer offered fans a first look at two new protagonists and a vibrant, chaotic world inspired by Florida—specifically, the fictional state of Leonida.

In a public statement, Rockstar shared that the “interest and excitement” from fans has been truly humbling, emphasizing how much the anticipation means to their team.

Of course, Rockstar Games is no stranger to long development cycles. It’s been over 12 years since the release of GTA V, a gap that has sparked countless memes and jokes about the sequel’s elusive launch.

Ajijul Shikdar

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