After months of speculation and rumors, Rockstar Games has finally revealed the official release date for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI : May 26, 2026. This is a significant delay from the original timeframe, which suggested a launch towards the end of 2025.
The upcoming release will likely primarily apply to the console version of the game, while PC users will have to wait even longer – which has been the practice for previous releases in the series.
In a statement, Rockstar explains that the postponement is due to the need for more time to ensure the game lives up to fans’ sky-high expectations.
“We deeply apologize that this is happening later than you expected. With every game we release, our primary intention has always been to try to exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We need this extra time to deliver a game at the level of quality you expect and deserve,” the studio said in a statement.
The news had immediate financial repercussions: The share price of Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, fell 16%. According to Bloomberg , the decline is due to the game’s launch being postponed until the next fiscal year, which is affecting investors’ earnings expectations. Sources within Rockstar have reportedly been skeptical of a 2025 launch for some time, citing a very extensive development process and a strong desire to avoid overtime for employees.
Although the wait will be longer than many had hoped, the extra development time gives Rockstar the opportunity to deliver a new chapter in the GTA series that both exceeds expectations – and justifies the hype.
