5 reasons why GTA 6 could get delayed to 2026

Modified Jan 02, 2025 07:26 GMT

Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games' parent company, revealed in its May 2024 earnings call that GTA 6 is scheduled to release during Fall 2025. The company has stuck to this release window in subsequent earnings calls so far, but some in the Grand Theft Auto fanbase are now starting to worry about a possible delay to 2026. A major reason for this is radio silence from Rockstar Games ever since the first trailer released in December 2023.

Although there has been no official announcement regarding a delay yet, we will take a look at the possible reasons GTA 6 might get delayed to 2026.

Note - This article is speculative. Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive haven't stated anything regarding a delay as of this writing.

Here are 5 possible reasons why GTA 6 might end up getting delayed to 2026

1) Video games now seem more challenging to develop

Rockstar's description of next Grand Theft Auto title (Image via Rockstar Games)

The advancements in technology are certainly great from the perspective of gamers, as video games can now be a lot more detailed than ever before. However, this also means that developing them can be a complex process, especially for something on the scale of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Such projects can require more time than originally expected. A great example of this is Cyberpunk 2077, a remarkable title that was announced in 2012, but still wasn't ready eight years later when it was released in 2020. Its developer, CD Projekt Red, had to put in a lot more time to bring it up to scratch.

2) Rockstar would not want to gamble with Grand Theft Auto 6

Rockstar addressing the issues with the Definitive Edition remasters at launch (Image via Rockstar Games)

There are a lot of expectations from GTA 6, as Rockstar Games titles have mostly been high-quality. It is, perhaps, the most anticipated video game of all time and not something to be gambled with.

Rockstar has been under fire from the fans before for the buggy launch of the GTA Trilogy's Definitive Edition remasters. Therefore, the developer might want to release its next title only when it is 100% ready, without any room for such issues, which could result in a delayed GTA 6 release window.

3) Rockstar has a history with delays

Red Dead Redemption 2 delay announcements (Images via Rockstar Games)

Two of Rockstar's most recent big releases prior to the upcoming title are Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5, released in 2018 and 2013, respectively. Both of these titles ended up getting delayed, and the former was delayed more than once.

They were among the biggest and the most anticipated titles of their time, just as Grand Theft Auto 6 is now, and GTA 6 sales are expected to break records. But given the history, it wouldn't be surprising if this one also got delayed a bit further.

4) A reputed video game journalist speculates so

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Jason Schreier is a highly reputed video game journalist. He has a good track record when it comes to the upcoming Rockstar Games title, such as his suggestions of a female protagonist in GTA 6 back in 2022 and the first trailer's announcement window.

Schreier recently stated in an interview that he would be shocked if Grand Theft Auto 6 would hit its planned Fall 2025 release window and not slip into 2026. However, it must be noted that this is likely just his personal opinion.

5) Rockstar's silence since trailer 1

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Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto 6's first trailer in December 2023 and have maintained radio silence on the sequel since then. Even its current official release window was announced by its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

No screenshots, trailers, or any other sort of information has been shared in over a year now, which does seem a tad bit worrisome, contributing to the GTA 6 2026 delay rumors among fans.

Readers are once again reminded that these are only speculated reasons, and Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track to release during Fall 2025 as of this writing.

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Edited by Ripunjay Gaba