Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed Until May 2026
The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed until May 2026, according to developer Rockstar Games. The sequel to the record-breaking video game series was initially set to be released on consoles later this year, but the company has announced that it needs extra time to "deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve".
The news was reported by BBC Newsbeat, who spoke to fans and industry experts about the delay. According to the report, the previous game in the series, GTA 5, is the second-best selling video game of all time and remains extremely popular thanks to its online mode.
As BBC Newsbeat notes, little official information on GTA 6 has emerged since a trailer for the game was released in December 2023, quickly reaching over 100m views. The 90-second clip revealed two main protagonists, and a glimpse of the game’s fictional, Florida-inspired setting Leonida.
Rockstar’s decision to delay the game is not surprising, given the company’s track record of taking its time to ensure the quality of its releases. As BBC Newsbeat reports, the company’s CEO, Straus Zelnick, has previously stated that each new game from the developer "needs to be something you’ve never seen before".
However, the delay has left some fans frustrated, including Dienne Kawende, a 27-year-old gamer who spoke to BBC Newsbeat. "I’m absolutely furious right now," he said. "There’s fire flowing through my body right now." Kawende had been saving up to buy a PlayStation 5, but now feels that the delay has ruined his plans.
The delay also has implications for the gaming industry as a whole. As BBC Newsbeat notes, the global video games industry has been hit by waves of studio closures and layoffs over the past two years. The release of GTA 6 was expected to drive interest in gaming and inspire more people to buy new consoles, but now it seems that other publishers may look to release their games before the end of this year.
The gaming industry is eagerly awaiting the release of GTA 6, which is expected to break sales records when it is finally released. As BBC Newsbeat reports, the game will only be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox at launch, meaning owners of older consoles will need to upgrade to play it.
For now, fans will have to wait until May 2026 to get their hands on GTA 6. As BBC Newsbeat notes, the long wait is likely to be worth it, given Rockstar’s reputation for producing high-quality games.
