Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed Until November 2026
The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed yet again, pushing its release date to November 19th, 2026. This marks the second delay for the game, which was due to be released in May 2026 after being pushed back from its original autumn 2025 release window.
In a statement, Rockstar Games expressed regret over the continued wait, saying, "We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve." Rockstar emphasized that the delay would help ensure the game meets the high standards fans expect from one of the most beloved video game franchises in history.
Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, continues to be one of the most successful video games of all time, having made over $8 billion. Despite being more than a decade old, GTA 5's online mode remains incredibly popular, keeping the game relevant and a cash cow for Rockstar. As a result, expectations for GTA 6 are sky-high, but Rockstar's perfectionist approach to game development means they are willing to take their time.
The game's setting, a sun-soaked, fictional state of Leonida inspired by Florida, promises to bring players back to a modern-day version of Vice City, the Miami-inspired location from 2002’s GTA: Vice City. Early trailers have introduced fans to the game's protagonists, Jason and Lucia, a criminal couple navigating the dangerous underworld of Leonida.
Despite Rockstar's assurances that the game is still going to be released, the delay has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans frustrated by the prolonged wait. Popular streamer IShowSpeed humorously reacted, saying, "I'm gonna be 50 before this game comes out. I might have kids, I might have a wife." Meanwhile, the Lofi Girl Twitter account joked that she might graduate before GTA 6 arrives, referencing her ongoing study session on YouTube that began in 2017.
Others, however, voiced their support of the delay, expressing that they would prefer a polished game over a rushed one, and that they would rather Rockstar take the necessary time to ensure the game is finished to the highest possible standard.
The announcement follows the controversial firing of 31 employees from Rockstar's UK studios, which has drawn criticism from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The union claims the dismissals were retaliatory actions against staff members who were involved in union activities. Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has defended the move, stating the employees were let go for "gross misconduct."
With a development timeline that has already stretched over several years, GTA 6 is shaping up to be one of the most expensive video games ever made. Whether it will live up to the monumental expectations placed upon it remains to be seen, but when it finally does drop, it’s expected to set new records in both sales and cultural impact.
