GTA 6 isn’t coming until November 2026, and that has dampened the spirits of its fans all around the globe. Rockstar Games has postponed the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, moving the launch date from May 2026 to November 19, 2026. This means the waiting period now extends up to almost a year. The delay marks the second postponement for what is expected to be one of the largest entertainment launches in history.
At the time of announcing the delay a month ago, Rockstar Games had stated that the studio needed more time to deliver on the expectations that fans have come to have from the franchise. The last release in the franchise, GTA 5, came almost 13 years ago, and continues to be a major revenue driver for Rockstar Games, despite the release of newer titles.
But is that the only reason why Rockstar Games is delaying the release of GTA 6? Let’s find out other possible factors for the delay behind the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
GTA 6: The timeline of delays
February 2022: Rockstar officially confirms development of GTA 6.
Late 2023: First trailer released, teasing a 2025 launch window and introducing protagonists Lucia and Jason in the fictional state of Leonida (inspired by Florida), with Vice City as a key setting. The trailer focuses on introducing Lucia and giving a hint of her story.
Early 2025: Initial delay announced, setting a specific release for May 26, 2026 — a date fans noted coincided with the funeral of outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde, believed to inspire the game’s leads.
May 2025: Rockstar Games releases the second trailer of GTA 6, focusing entirely on Jason and his story.
November 2025: Second delay confirmed, shifting to November 19, 2026.
What could be the reasons behind the delay of GTA 6
Industry experts point to several factors contributing to the extended development time. Modern blockbuster games have grown increasingly complex and costly to produce, with longer gaps between major releases becoming the norm. For Rockstar specifically, immense hype adds pressure. Both GTA 6 trailers shattered YouTube view records, and the game consistently ranks atop lists of most-anticipated titles.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of parent company Take-Two Interactive, emphasized during a recent investor call that the team is “seeking perfection” to meet expectations set by predecessors like Red Dead Redemption 2 – a game that is still hailed as a benchmark for open-world gaming due to its unparalleled detail.
Rockstar’s ongoing revenue from legacy titles also reduces urgency. GTA 5 remains the second-best-selling game ever, with hundreds of thousands of copies sold in 2024 alone, while GTA Online continues to generate substantial income, contributing to billions in revenue since 2013.
However, recent reports note a decline in GTA Online player numbers, heightening the stakes for GTA 6’s multiplayer mode to attract existing users.
The effect of the broader industry
The delay comes amid ongoing discussions about studio practices. Rockstar has faced past criticism for ‘crunch’ culture — mandatory overtime during crunch periods — which it has pledged to improve.
Recent reports suggest efforts to avoid such practices for the development phase of GTA 6. Additionally, the company recently dismissed 30 employees, with accusations of anti-union actions denied by Rockstar and contested by a workers’ union. While unlikely to be directly tied to the delay, staff changes could influence progress in the development phase of a video game.
