GTA VI release date 2026: The much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) has announced a delay, and fans all over the globe have been hit hard. On Friday, Rockstar Games said that the release has officially been pushed to May 26, 2026, with hopes for a 2025 launch dashed.
Gamers worldwide have been waiting for over 10 years for the next installation of the acclaimed GTA franchise. The last one to be released, Grand Theft Auto V, came out in 2013 and has since grossed $8 billion in revenue, thus making it one of the most successful-ever entertainment products.
Rockstar on the Delay: A Question of Quality
Said Rockstar:
“With every game we release, our goal has always been to exceed your expectations-and GTA VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
This is not the first time that Rockstar has delayed a highly anticipated title; others like L.A. Noire (2011) and Max Payne 3 (2012) were subjected to multiple postponements as well. Moreover, before their release, also GTA IV (2008) and GTA V (2013) were delayed.
What Fans Were Expecting
Many people’s dreams this year have been to skim through Vice City, a sun-kissed, neon-studded paradise inspired by Miami. High-charged chases, maelstroms of heists, and an immersive open-world experience brought fans to begin counting days.
In December 2023, they released the first GTA VI trailer. With the mounting craze, it was unveiled during a teaser run set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is a Long Road.” The teaser, which was only 90 seconds long, promised to return Vice City with new graphics and next-gen gameplay.
What This Means for the Gaming Industry
It is a significant change not just for fans but also for the gaming market itself. As the industry analyst Matthew Ball noted:
“This holiday, GTA VI would somehow boost both PlayStation and Xbox console sales. There wouldn’t be many other games to rival what seems destined to be a blockbuster record.”
With the delay of GTA VI, suddenly there would be bright chances for other developers to launch their titles without the overshadow of the giant.
A History of Delays – But Always Worth the Wait
Rockstar has a track record of delaying games to ensure perfection. Some notable examples:
- GTA III (2001) – Pushed back three weeks due to 9/11.
- GTA: Vice City (2002) & San Andreas (2004) – Minor delays for polish.
- GTA IV (2008) & GTA V (2013) – Both delayed by several months.