The day started with disappointing news for Grand Theft Auto fans. In an official statement, Rockstar Games confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed and will not launch in 2025 as originally planned. After months of speculation, it’s now official: the highly anticipated game won’t debut for several more months.
Rockstar apologized to the gaming community, acknowledging the widespread excitement and expectation for GTA VI’s fall 2025 release. However, not all news is bad— the company used this announcement to reveal the game’s new and definitive release date: May 26, 2026.
GTA VI Won’t Launch in 2025 — When Will It Arrive on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S?
Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games had previously promised that GTA VI would arrive in late 2025, with many insiders pointing to an October launch window. That’s no longer the case.
The delay affects both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. In its statement, Rockstar reassured fans that the additional time will allow them to deliver the best game possible:
“We’re very sorry to have to move the release later than expected. The interest and excitement around a new Grand Theft Auto have been truly overwhelming for our entire team. We want to thank you for your incredible support and patience as we work to finish the game.
With every release, our goal has always been to exceed expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that this extra time is necessary to deliver the level of quality you expect and deserve. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.”
Naturally, the news was a blow for fans eager to experience the new adventure starring Lucía and Jason by the end of 2025. The delay also has major implications for the gaming industry.
GTA VI Delay Will Reshape 2025–2026 Game Release Plans
Ben Foster, a Newzoo analyst, previously warned that many developers were shaping their release schedules around GTA VI. In a past report, he suggested that a delay would force studios to pivot quickly—either rushing to release projects in 2025 or holding off until Rockstar revealed a new launch window.
Now that Grand Theft Auto VI’s delay is official, it’s expected that several publishers will revise their plans to avoid launching near Rockstar’s juggernaut title.
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