Rockstar Games has delayed the release of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) to May 26, 2026. The game, which began development in earnest in 2020 following the release of Red Dead Redemption II, was originally slated for a Fall 2025 launch. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the delay during a recent earnings briefing, emphasizing the importance of allowing Rockstar to achieve its creative vision without limitations.
“While delays are painful–how could they not be? — supporting your teams in their quest for perfection is paramount,” Zelnick said. He also noted the “ambition and complexity” of GTA 6, which exceeds previous Rockstar releases.
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The additional time will enable the development team to polish the game and ensure it meets the studio’s high standards.
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Zelnick expressed confidence in the new release date, stating, “Historically, when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we’ve been excellent about reaching it.” This statement reinforces the expectation that GTA 6 will hit its May 26, 2026, release without further delays. Addressing the long wait for GTA 6, Zelnick mentioned that Rockstar has frequently delivered what amounts to “a new Grand Theft Auto release” through GTA Online updates.
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GTA 6 delay and developer vision
“Rockstar has been supplying content to Grand Theft Auto Online that’s robust enough that it would have counted as a standalone title if you go back 15 years,” he said. Despite the delay, Take-Two remains optimistic about the company’s future, citing upcoming titles such as Gearbox’s Borderlands 4, Hangar 13’s Mafia: The Old Country, and new releases in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises. GTA 6 is set to launch on May 26, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Fans eagerly await more concrete details about the game, with some speculating that Liberty City could feature either at launch or as post-launch DLC.
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