Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26, 2026, pushing back the highly anticipated launch originally expected in 2025.
The announcement was made via the studio’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday. In a brief statement, Rockstar apologized for the delay and cited the need for more development time to ensure the game meets its high internal standards and “the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
“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,” the post read, reiterating the developer’s ongoing commitment to delivering a polished, top-tier experience. No specific reasons were provided regarding the delay, though Rockstar said it will share more updates “soon.”
Parent company Take-Two Interactive also confirmed the revised launch window during its latest earnings call. The delay triggered a 7% drop in Take-Two’s stock, though CEO Strauss Zelnick reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality. He described Grand Theft Auto VI as a “groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience” that will be worth the wait.
Originally announced in December 2023, Grand Theft Auto VI has since become one of the most anticipated games of the decade. Its debut 90-second trailer—leaked ahead of schedule—introduced a modernized, Vice City-inspired setting known as Leonida, and featured Lucia, the series’ first female protagonist. The trailer quickly amassed over 100 million views, igniting widespread speculation and fan theories.
The game is confirmed to launch exclusively on current-generation consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A PC release has not been announced, frustrating some fans who recall similar delays with GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 ports. Combined with rising hardware costs, the limited platform availability could be a sticking point for segments of the player base.
Fan reaction to the delay has been mixed across Reddit, X, and gaming community forums. While many expressed disappointment, others acknowledged Rockstar’s reputation for extended development cycles as part of its polish-first philosophy. “I might not even have time to play GTA VI when it comes out,” long-time fan Dienne Kawende told BBC Newsbeat, reflecting on the 12-year gap since Grand Theft Auto V launched in 2013.
That wait is now the longest between mainline entries in the franchise’s history. Rockstar’s last major release, Red Dead Redemption 2, also experienced multiple delays before launching in 2018, yet emerged as both a critical and commercial hit. The new release date reshuffles the 2025 gaming calendar, potentially opening opportunities for competitors who may have otherwise avoided launching alongside Grand Theft Auto VI. Still, many remain skeptical that the May 2026 date will hold, given Rockstar’s track record.
For now, fans are left waiting—again. But if history is any indicator, Rockstar may once again deliver a groundbreaking experience that redefines open-world gaming.
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
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