Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) is poised to be a monumental release, greater in magnitude than its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V. Official confirmation of GTA 6 release was made in December 2025 by Rockstar Games, after years of eager anticipation. The announcement came with a trailer that revealed the game to setup in Vice City, a fictional location within the state of Leonida, and features a female protagonist named Lucia..
The game promises an expansive open-world environment where players can complete missions, drive various vehicles, and explore different locations. As with previous installments, GTA 6 will include action and elements of (police) violence. The game is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in 2025, according to Rockstar Games.
The unveiling of GTA VI has smashed records and continues to attract a massive fan following, with thousands eagerly awaiting any GTA 6 news or even leaks on release timelines. However, recent reports have cast a shadow and thrown gamers into despair. Despite initially targeting a Spring 2025 launch, development challenges within Rockstar Games have emerged indicating a potential delay on cards.
According to Kotaku, Rockstar Games was aiming for a spring 2025 GTA VI release. However, some anonymous Kotaku sources mentioned by the website’s editors believe that a fall 2025 release is more probable. These sources suggest that development delays are starting to affect the game’s progress, although the specific reasons for the delay are not clear.
The potential reasons for delay are likely attributed to security and ensuring the game’s quality. As a result, a fall 2025 release or even a delay to 2026 is now being considered. This news has sparked both disappointment and understanding among fans, who are eager to experience the next chapter in the iconic franchise.
Sources close to the development of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) have reportedly raised concerns that the game is “falling behind” schedule, according to Kotaku. This could be a potential reason for Rockstar Games instructing its employees to return to the office and work full-time starting in February. Some employees are concerned that this move may lead to a crunch culture, where they are required to work long hours to meet deadlines.
Despite facing challenges, Rockstar Games’ internal goal for GTA 6 release continues to remain in spring 2025. However, sources cited by Kotaku suggest that a fall 2025 launch is more feasible. These sources even consider a potential 2026 release as an “emergency” option, indicating the possibility of further delays.
Unfortunately, Rockstar Games is known for delaying its releases waiting until the “last minute” to make changes to its plans to ensure a high level of quality. For example, GTA V was initially slated for a spring 2013 release but was delayed to September 17 of the same year. Similarly, Red Dead Redemption 2 was delayed twice, moving from autumn 2017 to spring 2018 and eventually releasing on October 26, 2018. This uncertainty adds to the anticipation and speculation surrounding the GTA 6 release date.
While delays can be disappointing for fans, but those who understand Rockstar’s commitment to perfection, know that GTA 6 will be another iconic game in the making. As long as employees are not subjected to unfair deadlines, most fans are willing to wait for a game that meets the high standards set by the award-winning developers.
However, a potential delay of GTA 6 release to 2026 is likely to impact Sony’s plans for its launch of PS5 Pro. Players who purchased the PS5 Pro anticipating the release of GTA VI may have to wait longer than expected, potentially affecting Sony’s sales projections for the console.
