GTA VI is being postponed until 2026 by Rockstar Games, claiming that fans deserve better, but resentment grows
Rockstar Games has delayed GTA VI to May 2026, sparking backlash over its vague marketing strategy and repeated promises of a 2025 release.
Grand Theft Auto VI's official release date has been postponed by Rockstar Games to May 26, 2026, which is over a year later than the previously stated fall 2025 timetable.
In a statement posted on its website, the studio revealed the news, expressing regret for the wait and stating that more time was needed for development in order to satisfy player expectations.
“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” Rockstar wrote.
“The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.”
While delays in game development are nothing new, this latest shift has struck a nerve.
Rockstar had repeatedly told fans to expect the game in 2025, fueling anticipation throughout the past year.
With no new trailers, screenshots, or gameplay teases since the first trailer dropped in December 2023, many assumed Rockstar was simply holding back as part of its well-known marketing strategy.
Now, some are questioning whether that strategy still holds up.
Last-minute delays are nothing new for Rockstar
This isn’t the first time Rockstar has pulled back the curtain only to deliver disappointing news. In 2017, Red Dead Redemption 2 experienced a similar last-minute delay.
Though that game went on to become one of the most celebrated titles of its generation, fans were left wondering whether Rockstar would repeat the same rollout issues with GTA VI.
Now, history appears to have repeated itself.
Many fans have expressed support for the studio, acknowledging that quality takes time.
But others feel misled by the studio’s lack of transparency and its decision to delay the game so deep into 2025. The marketing silence — once seen as mysterious and thrilling — now feels, to some, like a form of bait-and-switch.
Take-Two backs the delay
Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, released its own statement of support for the delay. Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick said:
“We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations.”
Zelnick emphasized the company’s long-term vision, adding, “we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence” and look forward to “a multi-year period of growth” driven by the publisher’s wider release slate.
Marketing secrecy now a liability?
While Rockstar’s secretive approach worked wonders in the past, fans now question if the studio should shift its communication style.
The biggest complaint isn’t just the delay itself — it’s how Rockstar waited until mid-2025 to reveal it, even after repeated assurances that the game was “definitely coming in 2025.”
GTA VI carries enormous hype as one of the most anticipated games of the decade. But expectations cut both ways. Without more consistent updates, Rockstar risks alienating its loyal fanbase.
While the delay may ultimately lead to a better product, the way it was handled has left a sour taste for many.
