GTA 6 Delay Explained, Alongside Rockstar’s History of Postponing Nearly Every Game

Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated open-world title Grand Theft Auto 6 was originally expected to arrive in Fall 2025, but the game has faced multiple delays since its formal announcement. It is now scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, following a recent delay from its previously planned May 26, 2026 release date.

The decision marks the second major delay for GTA 6, raising questions about Rockstar’s development process, how the delay compares to the studio’s past releases, and what it could mean for the wider games industry.

Why Rockstar delayed GTA 6 again

In early November, Rockstar confirmed that GTA 6 would miss its May 2026 release window and move to November 19 instead—a delay of nearly six months. According to the studio, the reason was simple: quality.

“These extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve,” Rockstar said in its statement, adding that it understood the frustration caused by the extended wait.

Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, echoed this sentiment. CEO Strauss Zelnick said the studio is “seeking perfection” with GTA 6 and will continue to delay the game if necessary to meet its internal standards.

Zelnick noted that the new release date still falls within Take-Two’s fiscal year, allowing the company to maintain its financial outlook while also positioning GTA 6 for a lucrative holiday launch window. He has repeatedly stated that demand for the game is so high that the exact timing within the year is unlikely to affect sales.

“Seeking perfection” has always been Rockstar’s approach

Zelnick has frequently described Rockstar’s philosophy as prioritizing creative perfection over speed. In multiple interviews, he has emphasized that Rockstar prefers to delay releases rather than compromise on quality.

“There’s inherent tension between getting something to market and creating perfection,” Zelnick has said. “This company errs on the side of perfection.”

That approach has historically paid off. Grand Theft Auto V has sold more than 220 million copies since its release, while Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the most successful games of the past decade.

Union controversy not linked to the delay

The delay comes amid labor-related controversy at Rockstar, including the firing of 30–40 workers in Scotland and Canada for what the company described as gross misconduct related to leaks. Worker advocacy groups have disputed that explanation, alleging anti-union behavior.

More than 200 Rockstar employees signed a letter calling for the reinstatement of the fired staff, and UK lawmakers have raised concerns over the situation. However, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier has stated that the labor dispute is not connected to GTA 6’s latest delay.

According to Schreier, while the firings could have long-term consequences, they did not cause the six-month slip in the game’s release schedule.

Rockstar’s long history of delays

GTA 6’s shifting release date is consistent with Rockstar’s historical development patterns. Many of the studio’s biggest titles were delayed beyond their original release windows.

• GTA IV – Delayed from October 2007 to April 2008
• GTA: Chinatown Wars – Delayed to April 2009
• Red Dead Redemption – Delayed to May 2010
• GTA V – Delayed from Spring 2013 to September 2013
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – Delayed twice, launching in October 2018
• GTA V (PS5/Xbox Series X|S) – Delayed to March 2022

In every case, Rockstar cited quality and polish as the primary reasons for the delays.

How big will GTA 6 be?

Industry analysts widely expect GTA 6 to be one of the largest entertainment launches in history. One estimate suggests the game could sell 40 million copies and generate more than $3 billion in revenue during its first year.

By comparison, GTA V earned $1 billion in revenue within just three days of its release in 2013.

However, some analysts caution against viewing GTA 6 as a cure-all for the video game industry’s current challenges. While the game’s launch will undoubtedly generate massive revenue, experts argue it will not reverse broader structural issues such as rising development costs, layoffs, and market saturation.

What we know about GTA 6 so far

Rockstar first officially confirmed GTA 6’s development in early 2022. The game’s debut trailer arrived in December 2023, introducing Vice City and the broader state of Leonida, along with protagonists Jason and Lucia.

A second trailer followed in May 2025, coinciding with the game’s first delay. That trailer offered a deeper look at the game’s world and characters, while Rockstar also launched a dedicated website with additional details.

As of now, a third trailer has not been announced. Speculation continues around pricing, with some questioning whether GTA 6 could launch at a higher-than-standard price point. Rockstar and Take-Two have not commented on pricing plans.

With nearly a year remaining until launch, GTA 6 remains one of the most closely watched projects in the history of the video game industry.