Rockstar Delays GTA 6 Release to May 2026
In a significant announcement that has sent shockwaves through the gaming world, Rockstar Games has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI until May 26, 2026. The game, originally scheduled for a Fall 2025 launch, will now arrive several months later than anticipated. In their official statement, Rockstar apologized to fans, stating:
“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” while emphasizing their commitment to quality: “We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed support for the decision, noting that they “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.”
Despite the disappointing news for eager fans, the delay provides a firm release date rather than the previously vague “Fall 2025” window.
Industry insider Jason Schreier commented that developers at Rockstar had not believed Fall 2025 was a “real window” for the game’s completion, citing “too much work, not enough time, and what appears to be a real desire from management to avoid brutal crunch.”
Price Speculation Intensifies Following Delay Announcement
As fans adjust to the new release timeline, speculation about GTA 6’s potential pricing continues to circulate in the gaming community. Industry analysts have presented various predictions, with some suggesting the game could break new ground with a higher price point. Video games analyst Matthew Ball previously noted in his “State of Video Gaming in 2025” report that “some gamemakers hope GTA 6 will be priced at $80 to $100,” which could potentially reset the market standard for AAA games.
However, other analysts remain skeptical about a potential $100 base price. Mat Piscatella from Circana argued there’s “just no need” for such a high entry point, while Joost van Dreunen from NYU Stern called a potential price hike beyond the standard a “mistake,” predicting Rockstar will likely stick to their successful GTA 5 model.
Recent industry developments may have already paved the way for Rockstar to charge more than the standard $70 price point. With Nintendo announcing an $80 price tag for Mario Kart World on Switch 2 and Microsoft raising first-party Xbox game prices to $80 for the holiday season, Rockstar may face less resistance to a similar move.
PC Release Remains Unconfirmed
While the May 2026 release date has been confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Rockstar still hasn’t officially announced a PC version of GTA 6. This follows the pattern established with previous Rockstar titles, which typically arrive on PC sometime after the console release. Industry speculation suggests PC gamers might have to wait until late 2026 or possibly even 2027 to experience the next chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick previously addressed the PC release timing indirectly, stating, “Rockstar has an approach to platforms which we’ve seen before, and they will make more announcements in due time.” He also noted that PC has become “a much more and more important part of what used to be a console business,” suggesting a PC version is indeed in the works.
What We Know So Far About GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto VI is set in the fictional open-world state of Leonida, based on Florida, which includes Vice City, a fictionalized version of Miami. The game will feature the series’s first non-optional female protagonist, Lucia, alongside a male partner. The first official trailer, released in December 2023, showed Lucia initially as a prison inmate before depicting scenes of the criminal duo evading authorities.
The world of GTA 6 appears to parody contemporary American culture, with satirical depictions of social media, influencer culture, and references to internet memes such as “Florida Man.” Although development details remain closely guarded, the game has already generated unprecedented anticipation, with its announcement trailer breaking records for viewership within hours of release.
With the extended development timeline now officially confirmed, fans can only hope that Rockstar will release a second trailer soon, potentially offering more insights into the game’s characters, story, and gameplay features. Industry insiders and fans alike will be watching closely for any further announcements from Rockstar in the coming months.