The Wait Just Got Longer: GTA VI Bumped to 2026 – Here’s What Rockstar Had to Say
The gaming world is shaking: Rockstar Games has just announced that the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI has been postponed to next year. A major shock for fans and the entire industry, reshaping expectations for the year ahead.
Originally slated for 2025 with no specific date—but widely expected for a fall release—GTA VI is now officially delayed. The news hit social media like a thunderclap, with Rockstar stating the need for extra time to reach the level of excellence players have come to expect from the franchise.
Image credit: Rockstar Games
Rockstar delays, the industry stumbles
The announcement was made on the social platform X: the studio wants to take the time to get things right. When it comes to Grand Theft Auto, this level of precision is hardly surprising, given the immense expectations. The statement mentions a desire to “exceed expectations” and thanks the community for its unwavering support.
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, 2025
This delay until May 2026 is more than a scheduling hiccup: it’s a major event set to redefine the gaming landscape for the coming year. On one hand, it’s a bitter disappointment for players worldwide. On the other, it might be the best way to ensure Grand Theft Auto VI lives up to its legendary legacy. But make no mistake—this announcement is already sending shockwaves through the industry.
- Take-Two shares, Rockstar’s parent company, fell more than 9% in pre-market trading,
- Competing studios that had adjusted their schedules to avoid clashing with GTA VI are now scrambling to rework their strategies,
- And perhaps most critically, retailers and console manufacturers lose a key driver for year-end sales momentum.
A domino effect on other major releases
Games like Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, both originally scheduled for fall under the Take-Two umbrella, had already shifted their release dates, anticipating a massive launch window for GTA VI. It now seems likely these moves were based on insider information. This delay disrupts the release roadmap for many publishers, but may also create an unexpected window of opportunity for other major titles to shine without Rockstar’s shadow looming overhead.
A blessing in disguise?
While the disappointment among fans is real, many acknowledge the value of a polished and complete game. As the well-known industry adage goes: “A delayed game can eventually be good, but a rushed game is bad forever.” And in the case of GTA VI, which has been in the works at Rockstar for years, no one wants the experience tarnished by haste.
The delay may also put the brakes on next-gen console sales. Many players were waiting for GTA VI to make the leap and retire their trusty PS4 or Xbox One. Without this key driver for the transition, manufacturers will have to get creative to keep sales momentum going until 2026.
