Rockstar Games has officially delayed GTA VI, pushing its release to May 26, 2026, for current-gen consoles. This comes after plans for a Fall 2025 launch window were hinted at by Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick.

Though this delay will come as no surprise to those who know Rockstar’s proclivity for delaying big releases, many fans thought this time might be different, given the near-constant reassurances from Take-Two that the game would not see another delay.

GTA VI Release Pushed to May 2026 as Rockstar Aims to Avoid Crunch and Prioritize Developer Health
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GTA VI Release Pushed to May 2026 as Rockstar Aims to Avoid Crunch and Prioritize Developer Health

According to Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, the delay shouldn’t come as a total surprise to Rockstar employees, as it had been anticipated internally at the company for some time. In a post on BlueSky last month, Schreier added that, based on exchanges with Rockstar employees, there was “no real chance” the game would hit a Fall 2025 release window.

He added that the decision wasn’t just about time constraints but also about a growing commitment within Rockstar to avoid the kind of harsh crunch periods that have plagued past projects. Schreier stated, “Nobody I’ve talked to at Rockstar has believed Fall 2025 was a real window for a very long time now. Too much work, not enough time, and what appears to be a real desire from management to avoid brutal crunch.”

This delay, though frustrating for fans eager to dive into the next installment of the iconic franchise, is being viewed by many as a positive development culture-wise. If Rockstar is genuinely committed to giving its developers adequate time and avoiding burnout, it may set a valuable precedent for the wider gaming industry. In the meantime, players will have to wait an extra year for what’s expected to be Rockstar’s biggest game yet. But if that time allows for a better, healthier development process, it could be well worth it.