Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed To May 2026

Rockstar Games has delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 2026, sparking frustration among fans after a 12-year wait.

Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will now launch on May 26, 2026, pushing the release nearly two years beyond fans’ expectations. The game was originally scheduled for late 2025, but the studio says more time is needed to meet player expectations.

“We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” Rockstar said in a statement. “We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”

The delay caused significant disappointment among fans who had been waiting twelve years since GTA V became the second highest-selling game in history. The December 2023 trailer provided GTA VI fans with their first look at the Florida-based setting while introducing Lucia as the franchise’s inaugural playable female protagonist, as noted by the BBC.

Set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is A Long Road,” the trailer shows Lucia being released from prison before joining her partner for a heist, fueling rumors of a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style storyline. It has been watched over 250 million times, as noted by France24.

The perfectionist reputation of Rockstar Games alongside previous title delays, including Red Dead Redemption 2, has not satisfied many fans who are growing impatient, as noted by the BBC.

“I’m absolutely furious right now,” said Dienne Kawende, a 27-year-old fan, as reported by the BBC. “I literally got a job just to save up to get a PlayStation 5. It’s all ruined now,” Dienne added.

The BBC reports that GTA VI will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, leaving older console owners behind.

Despite controversies over its violent content, the GTA series remains a cultural giant. With game studios facing mass layoffs lately, many in the industry were hoping the new GTA release would revive interest in gaming.