Take-Two Interactive, the company that owns Rockstar Games, shared during its May 2024 earnings call that GTA 6 is set to release in Fall 2025. The company has continued to stand by this release date in its following earnings calls.
However, some fans of the Grand Theft Auto series are starting to fear that the game could be delayed until 2026. One major reason for this concern is the lack of updates from Rockstar Games since the release of the first trailer in December 2023.
While there hasn’t been any official announcement about a delay, let’s look at some possible reasons why GTA 6 might be delayed until 2026.
No risks with Grand Theft Auto 6
There are high expectations for GTA 6 because Rockstar Games has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality titles. It is possibly the most awaited video game ever, and Rockstar wouldn’t want to risk it not meeting fans’ standards.
The company has faced criticism from fans in the past for the buggy release of the GTA Trilogy’s Definitive Edition remasters. Because of this, Rockstar might prefer to release GTA 6 only when it is completely finished and free of such issues, which could lead to the game being delayed.
Video games are becoming harder to develop
Advances in technology are great for gamers because they allow for more detailed and realistic video games. But this also means that developing games has become more complicated, especially for something as big as Grand Theft Auto 6.
Big projects like this can take more time than expected. A good example of this is Cyberpunk 2077, a highly anticipated game that was first announced in 2012 but didn’t come out until 2020. The game’s developer, CD Projekt Red, had to put in many extra years to get it ready.
GTA VI (Rockstar Games)Rockstar has a history of delays
Before GTA 6, Rockstar’s two biggest releases were Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5, which came out in 2018 and 2013, respectively. Both of these games were delayed, with Red Dead Redemption 2 being delayed more than once.
These games were among the most highly anticipated releases of their time, just like GTA 6 is now, and GTA 6’s sales are expected to break records. However, given Rockstar’s past with delays, it wouldn’t be surprising if GTA 6 faced a similar situation and was delayed further.
Nothing After the First Trailer
Rockstar Games released the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 in December 2023, but there has been no communication from them since then. Even the current official release window was shared by its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.
No new screenshots, trailers, or any other updates have been released for over a year, which has caused some concern and added to the rumors among fans about a possible delay to 2026.
