Grand Theft Auto VI, the highly anticipated next installment in the popular franchise, has been delayed until May 26, 2026, Rockstar Games announced. The game had previously been expected to launch around Fall 2025.
The six-month delay shifts the release date away from the crowded 2025 calendar, where many publishers and developers were planning their own title launches. Industry analysts noted widespread concern about releasing games in proximity to a title expected to generate record sales.
The shift provides some relief for companies adjusting their release schedules. However, many undated titles planned for next year must now seek new slots, potentially pushing other releases further into 2026 or beyond. The impact extends across the industry, affecting planning for titles ranging from major franchises like Battlefield and Fable to smaller projects. EA CEO Andrew Wilson previously commented on potential timing adjustments relative to major competition.
The delay occurs as the video game industry navigates economic shifts. While total revenue saw a slight increase in 2024, console hardware sales experienced a downturn. This decline, coupled with rising technology costs, has led to increased prices for consoles from companies including Microsoft and Sony. The current generation of consoles requires a title capable of driving hardware sales.
Projections for Grand Theft Auto VI underscore its market potential. Research groups estimate the title could generate $1 billion from pre-orders alone and over $3.2 billion in its first year. The previous game, Grand Theft Auto V, reached $1 billion in three days. Circana analyst Mat Piscatella noted the game's importance, stating "there’s probably never been a more important thing to ever release in the industry." Its performance may influence perceptions of the industry's growth potential for the next decade.
The delay also offers developers at Rockstar Games additional time, potentially addressing concerns about development timelines and workflow pressures. Reports in the past highlighted challenging conditions within the studio, prompting a desire to avoid intense crunch periods common in game development. A delay, while disappointing to players, provides necessary time for development teams.
This is not the first time a major Rockstar Games title has shifted its release. Both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 experienced multiple delays, typically moving first to the second quarter of the following year, then to the third quarter. Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, was delayed from Spring 2018 to October 2018. The pattern of Grand Theft Auto VI moving from Fall 2025 to May 2026 mirrors this history, suggesting a further shift to late 2026 remains possible.
A late 2026 release, particularly in October or November, aligns with the holiday sales period. This timing could facilitate console bundles with Microsoft and Sony, aiming to boost hardware sales. For instance, PlayStation 4 sales in October-December 2014 more than doubled previous quarters, coinciding with Grand Theft Auto V's launch on the console.
The delay could also affect Nintendo and its upcoming Switch 2 console. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously pledged support for the Switch 2, leading to speculation about Grand Theft Auto VI potentially launching on the platform. The Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy's Definitive Edition released on the original Switch, establishing precedent for adult franchises on the console. While the technical feasibility of Grand Theft Auto VI on Switch is debated—despite modders demonstrating a port of GTA V running on Switch hardware—the relationship between Take-Two and Nintendo suggests the possibility warrants consideration.
"There's probably never been a more important thing to ever release in the industry," Circana analyst Mat Piscatella said.