Fri May 02 21:40:00 UTC 2025: ## GTA 6 Delayed Until May 2026, Disappointing Millions of Fans
**London, UK** – Rockstar Games has announced a significant delay for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), pushing back its release date to May 2026. The game, initially slated for release later this year on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, will now require an additional 18 months of development.
The decision, announced by Rockstar, cites a need to meet the high standards expected by fans. The previous installment, GTA 5, remains incredibly popular and is the second-best-selling video game of all time, largely due to its successful online mode.
While a 90-second trailer released in December 2023 generated over 100 million views and offered glimpses of the game’s Florida-inspired setting, “Leonida,” and its dual protagonists, official information has been scarce.
The delay has sparked outrage among fans. One player, Dienne Kawende, expressed frustration at the extended wait, stating that he even took a job to save for a PlayStation 5 specifically to play GTA 6. He voiced concerns about potentially lacking the time to play the game once it finally releases, given his age and the possibility of starting a family.
Rockstar, known for its lengthy development cycles and meticulous attention to detail, previously delayed Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018. The company’s CEO, Straus Zelnick, has previously stated that each Rockstar title needs to be groundbreaking and unlike anything seen before.
The delay has implications for the wider gaming industry. While GTA 6 was expected to boost console sales and reignite interest in gaming, its postponement may open the door for other publishers to release their titles sooner, avoiding a direct clash with the blockbuster release. The delay comes amidst a period of challenges in the gaming industry, marked by studio closures and layoffs. GTA 6 is still expected to break sales records upon release, potentially surpassing the record-breaking launch of its predecessor.
First Piper 