Take-Two confirms new release timeline
Grand Theft Auto VI will now launch on 26 May 2026, following a delay confirmed earlier this month by Rockstar Games. The announcement came after a year of silence and replaced the original 2025 window previously promised by the developers. Rockstar released a second official trailer to ease fan concerns and offer a fresh look at the game’s progress. The delay caused debate among players, but the company remains confident in the new timeline.
Figure 1: GTA 6’s new release date confirmed
Take-Two CEO minimises delay impact
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the delay in an interview with CNBC, calling it “pretty short” and “less than six months.” Zelnick stated, “Generally, when we announce a date, we’re able to hit that date.” He emphasised Rockstar’s goal, saying, “Rockstar is trying to create the best thing anyone has ever seen in entertainment. Not just interactive entertainment. That’s a tall order.”
GTA 6 trailers continue to attract views
The game now has two trailers released. The second arrived without prior notice and gave fans nearly three minutes of gameplay footage. The footage revealed extended looks at Vice City and surrounding areas, featuring protagonists Jason and Lucia. Rockstar also hinted at more side activities than in previous titles. These include fishing, dirt biking, jet skiing, kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, basketball and martial arts. Players also noticed what appears to be an in-game PlayStation 5 or PS6.
Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2
Fans highlight side content and locations
Careful viewing of the trailer revealed additional activities like litter picking, exercise and exploring different states beyond Leonida. These discoveries suggest a larger, more interactive game world than earlier entries in the series. Rockstar has not officially confirmed the side activities, though their presence in the trailer implies they could be playable. Analysts expect more details later this year, especially during major gaming events like Summer Game Fest.
Release delay opens market opportunities
The shift to May 2026 clears the crowded end-of-year release schedule for other developers. Games such as Marathon, Ghost of Yōtei and The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020 remain scheduled for the second half of 2025. Publishers had been cautious about announcing new release dates while Rockstar held the 2025 window. The delay has allowed more flexibility for studios targeting late 2025 or early 2026. Industry observers expect more announcements in coming months.
Analyst questions new release certainty
Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier suggested the May 2026 date is not guaranteed, citing Rockstar’s history of delays. Schreier previously predicted the Q4 2025 miss, which Rockstar confirmed this month. He noted, “One developer working on a big multiplayer game told me that they had previously delayed their release date from fall 2025 to spring 2026… Now they’re caught in a vise.” The source added, “Delaying their game a second time would be an expensive endeavour, ratcheting up the stakes for the eventual release.”
Concerns rise about potential second delay
Schreier wrote that releasing alongside GTA 6 could be catastrophic for smaller titles. He said, “There’s no guarantee that May 2026 is a sure thing. The best hope might be to release in March, April or even early May, and hope it’s not disastrous.” His comments renewed concerns about a second delay, though Rockstar has not responded to the speculation.
Fan reaction remains mixed across platforms
Fans responded strongly to news of the delay, especially on social media. On Dexerto’s Twitter, user @lxm697 wrote, “What’s taking them so long, just release the game already. Now you’re saying next year isn’t even guaranteed.” Another user, @AfroTv__, added, “How do you work on a game for 10 plus years and still have delays.”
Supporters urge patience and perspective
Some users defended Rockstar’s timeline, highlighting the studio’s record of quality releases. One commenter stated, “Yes, Rockstar Games has a pretty consistent track record of delaying its games. You know what else they have a very consistent track record of? Releasing absolute heaters.” They added, “If they need more time, good. I think we all know that GTA VI is going to be something special, and I’ll gladly wait until 2030 if they need the time.”
Historical delays show consistent pattern
Rockstar titles have often seen delays. GTA V was delayed by four months in 2013. Its Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions also faced postponements. Red Dead Redemption 2 saw three delays, two internal and one public, before launching in October 2018. These examples have shaped fan expectations, and many now anticipate additional delays as part of Rockstar’s development cycle.
Conclusion
GTA 6 is now scheduled for 26 May 2026, with a second trailer confirming progress and hinting at expanded gameplay options. Take-Two and Rockstar remain confident in the new timeline, while analysts and fans continue to debate its certainty. The delay has reshaped the game release calendar and prompted developers to reconsider their launch strategies. As anticipation builds, the gaming community will watch closely for updates in the months ahead.
