Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed to May 2026: Take-Two and Rockstar Prioritize Quality Over Speed

Grand Theft Auto VI, the long-awaited next chapter in Rockstar Games' groundbreaking open-world franchise, will now launch on May 26, 2026.

This revised release date was confirmed this week by publisher Take-Two Interactive, following an initial schedule for Fall 2025.

The news, while disappointing for eager fans, underscores Rockstar's insistence on delivering nothing short of a premium experience for its global audience. Rockstar Games addressed the delay in a public statement distributed to major gaming publications, including IGN.

The company expressed regret for extending the development timeline, acknowledging the immense anticipation surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI.

"We are genuinely sorry for delivering this news later than anticipated," Rockstar stated.

"Your enthusiasm for the next Grand Theft Auto title has been deeply motivating for our entire team.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and ongoing support as we complete development.

Since our earliest releases, our primary goal has always been to exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no different.

We hope our community understands the necessity for additional time to reach the high standards you deserve." Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick offered further context in a follow-up statement.

"We fully support Rockstar Games as they take additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI," Zelnick remarked.

He emphasized that the title is expected to set new benchmarks for blockbuster entertainment and to outpace audience expectations.

Zelnick reiterated Take-Two’s commitment to long-term growth, citing the Grand Theft Auto franchise’s impact as a key driver for the company’s fiscal trajectory. Grand Theft Auto VI enters development as the most anticipated release in Rockstar Games' storied portfolio.

Since the franchise’s debut in 1997, each installment has set commercial benchmarks, with the series surpassing 385 million units sold worldwide as of 2023.

Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, remains one of the best-selling video games of all time, with continued success across multiple hardware generations, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms. Speculation continues regarding potential platforms for Grand Theft Auto VI.

While Rockstar has yet to confirm details about a possible release on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, industry insiders consider it likely given the console’s expected prominence and the publisher’s expanding footprint on Nintendo hardware.

Take-Two Interactive has publicly stated its support for the Nintendo Switch ecosystem, noting its willingness to consider a broad slate of titles for future Nintendo platforms. Grand Theft Auto VI’s delay highlights an industry-wide trend of prioritizing development quality and long-term value for players.

As anticipation builds toward its new release date of May 26, 2026, Rockstar Games remains focused on setting new standards for narrative-driven, open-world experiences in the interactive entertainment landscape.

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