Bad news for GTA fans. The GTA 6 has been delayed to 2026. In a major announcement that has rocked the gaming world, Rockstar Games confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not release in 2025 as originally planned. The highly anticipated title now has a confirmed release date in 2026.
The Official Announcement For Grand Theft Auto 6
Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026. https://t.co/YgaIn1cYc8 pic.twitter.com/cyeK7GM6Ob
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) May 2, 2025You heard it right, Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed again. Rockstar Games has pushed the release date to May 26, 2026, abandoning their previously announced fall 2025 window. This bomb announcement is both a disappointment and brings clarity to millions of fans who were waiting for the exclusive GTA 6. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S exclusive will now arrive nearly 13 years after GTA 5’s original release. Grand Theft Auto 6 is now set to release on May 26, 2026. According to the developers,
“Rockstar said in its only official update on GTA 6 since the game was revealed. “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto have been humbling for our team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.”
Rockstar Games
Rockstar further said that GTA 6 needs additional development time to launch. The delay would likely be utilized to polish GTA 6 before its launch on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. They further added,
“With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.”
Rockstar Games
Despite the delayed announcement, Rockstar did not provide any footage from the game. However, they did promise that more information would soon be coming to give fans a glimpse of GTA 6.
Impact On The Gaming Calendar
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The conversation around GTA 6’s new release timeframe has significantly impacted the gaming industry. Several major titles appear to have already adjusted their plans:
- Borderlands 4: Earlier this week, Gearbox announced it was moving the game’s launch up two weeks to September 12, 2025. Given that Gearbox is also owned by Take-Two Interactive, this timing adjustment suggests the studio may have had advanced knowledge of Rockstar’s plan.
- Ghost of Yotel: Sony recently confirmed that this first-party action-adventure title will launch on October 2, 2025.
With GTA 6 now officially pushed to 2026, industry analysts expect more publishers to announce firm release dates for their late 2025 titles, taking advantage of the absence of what will likely be the year’s biggest potential competitor.
Rockstar’s History Of Delays – GTA Series
For longtime followers of Rockstar Games, this delay, while disappointing, follows a familiar pattern. The studio has a history of pushing back the release date for its Grand Theft Auto titles.
- Grand Theft Auto 5: The original scheduled date was Q2 2013, but it was eventually released on September 17, 2023.
- Grand Theft Auto 4: Initially, the said date was October 16, 2007, and it was delayed to April 29, 2008, due to development challenges related to the PlayStation 3.
These previous delays ultimately resulted in critically acclaimed games that broke sales records, suggesting Rockstar’s preference for extending development time, which often pays off in terms of quality and commercial success.
Everything We Know About GTA 6
Despite the long silence from Rockstar, the December 2023 trailer revealed some key insights into what players can expect:
- The game will be set in Leonida, a fictional version of Florida, featuring a reimagined Vice City.
- For the first time since GTA 1, the game will feature a female protagonist named Lucia, alongside a male character, in what appears to be a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired criminal partnership.
- The trailer showed impressive visual fidelity with detailed environments, including beaches, nightclubs, swamps, and urban areas.
- The game appears to incorporate elements of social media culture and modern Florida life.
How Fans Reacted?
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms and the gaming industry. While many fans have expressed disappointment at having to wait longer, others have voiced support for Rockstar’s decision to prioritize quality over rushing to meet the original release window. The phrase, “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad,” often attributed to Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, has been frequently cited by supporters of the delay.
While the delay to May 26, 2026, means fans will have to wait longer than expected for GTA 6, Rockstar’s record suggests the additional development time will be used to deliver a game that meets or exceeds the enormous expectations of the fans. As the studio promised in their announcement, they look forward to sharing more information soon, and the gaming world will certainly be watching.
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