Rockstar Games has announced a delay for Grand Theft Auto 6, pushing its release from May 26, 2026, to November 19, 2026. The move allows additional time to polish the game to meet high expectations. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, expressed confidence in the new date during its earnings call on November 6, 2025.
Announcement Details
Rockstar Games revealed the delay via social media on November 6, 2025, stating, "We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve." The game is set for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, featuring the state of Leonida and a return to modern-day Vice City.
This marks the second delay in 2025, following a shift from a fall 2025 window to May 2026. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the decision during the earnings call, emphasizing Rockstar's culture: "I think the culture of Rockstar [Games] is extraordinary, and we’re all pushing hard to seek perfection." He highlighted the studio's track record, noting that Rockstar releases generally score over 95 on Metacritic, with Grand Theft Auto V as a standout example that remains technologically advanced over a decade later.
Company Confidence and Impact
Zelnick expressed optimism about the new timeline, telling IGN, "We feel really good about this release date. It's in the same fiscal year, it happens to be a great release window, and naturally we're really supportive of Rockstar's approach." He added that delaying for polish has benefited the company in the past, unlike competitors who rushed releases.
The announcement led to an immediate drop in Take-Two's stock, falling around 7-8 percent or about $30 per share in after-hours trading. Grand Theft Auto 6 follows Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold 210 million copies since 2013. The sequel is anticipated to be a major blockbuster, building on the franchise's legacy in open-world gaming.
