The first GTA VI trailer was revealed in December 2023, and since then we’ve heard very little about the game aside from the narrowed down release date that’s now been pushed to next year. The next installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise will be set in Vice City, and feature the series’ first female protagonist — Lucia — with Bonnie and Clyde–inspired story elements. GTA VI is a highly anticipated title, and we might get some more details about the game’s delay during parent company Take-Two’s next financial results on May 15th. Take Two’s stock price dropped 8 percent in premarket trading on the NASDAQ this morning after the news of the delay. Grand Theft Auto V is still massively popular 11 years after its launch, recently taking the number one spot on Twitch as the most watched game of 2024.
Rockstar has delayed Grand Theft Auto 6 to May 26, 2026. It was due out fall 2025. In a statement, Rockstar apologized for the significant delay to the game, expected to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time. "We are very sorry that this is later than you expected," Rockstar said. "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. "With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.
The developer is known for taking a perfectionist approach to its games, with significant delays between releases. Its last big release was the Red Dead Redemption sequel in 2018. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of parent company Take Two Interactive, has previously stated that Rockstar Gaming is seeking “nothing short of perfection”. GTA 6 had been the subject of mass speculation for years, even before its official announcement in 2022. The 12-year wait has even become the subject of a popular meme, which references surprising events that have happened “before GTA 6”.
