Postponement of Grand Theft Auto VI Launch to May 2026

Rockstar Games has announced a delay in the release of the eagerly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI to ensure it meets the high standards expected by the fans.

Originally slated for a fall 2025 launch, the release date for this much-anticipated game has now been shifted to May 26, 2026. Rockstar explains that the development team requires more time to ensure the game achieves the quality that players expect and merit.

A message from the developers has been posted on their website, where they expressed regret over the delay:

We sincerely apologize for not meeting your original expectations. The overwhelming enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding the new Grand Theft Auto have been incredibly heartening for our team. We extend our gratitude for your ongoing support and patience as we complete the game's development.

Our aim with every release is to exceed player expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no different. We appreciate your understanding as we take this additional time to ensure the game meets the standards you anticipate.

We are eager to provide further information in the coming months.

The first glimpse of GTA VI came with a trailer released in December 2023. Since then, updates have been sparse, with notable information being the revised release date. The upcoming game is set to revisit Vice City and will introduce a female lead character, Lucia, in a narrative inspired by Bonnie and Clyde.

Anticipation for this title continues to build, with potential updates on the game's delay expected during Take-Two's next financial report on May 15th. Following the announcement of the delay, Take-Two's shares experienced an 8% decline in pre-market trading on NASDAQ.

Meanwhile, the predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, maintains its popularity even 11 years post-launch, still achieving top ranks on platforms like Twitch.