Rockstar Games announced GTA 6’s official release date, but it will be delayed until 2026. Read on to learn more about their decision and how this affects other games’ launches.
GTA 6 Release Date Announced
Coming on May 26, 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has been one of the most highly anticipated games, and fans have eagerly awaited its release since its first trailer dropped. After years of silence, developer Rockstar Games finally revealed GTA 6’s release date, which is not what fans expected.
In a Twitter (X) post on May 2, Rockstar Games announced that GTA 6 is set to launch on May 26, 2026. This is not what fans have anticipated, especially since its publisher, Take-Two Interactive, mentioned in their Q3 2025 earnings call that they are confident that GTA 6 will come out in Fall 2025.
Rockstar Games apologized for the delay and thanked fans for their patience as they finish the game. They stated, "We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve." According to Rockstar Games, more information will be shared soon.
Take-Two Interactive Fully Supports Rockstar Games’ Decision
Take-Two Interactive fully supported Rockstar Games’ decision on the extra time added for GTA 6’s development. In a statement they posted on their website on May 2, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick shared his thoughts on the change in GTA 6’s launch.
He said, "We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations."
This change lines up well with their previous statement regarding their titles possibly releasing close to each other. Last week, Gearbox Entertainment announced that Borderlands 4 will launch 2 weeks earlier. Many thought that this decision was influenced by GTA 6’s release window, as both games are under Take-Two Interactive. However, Gearbox denied that Borderlands 4’s launch date change is influenced by other games.
Regardless of the recent changes in their games’ release dates, Take-Two remains committed to excellence. They said, "As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders."
Devolver Digital Remains Adamant in Releasing a Game Same Day with GTA 6
The change in GTA 6’s release prompted Cult of the Lambs publisher Devolver Digital to move their own game’s release, not away from GTA 6’s launch, but on the same day. Devolver Digital posted on Twitter (X) on May 2 that their game will also release on May 26. They stated, "You can’t escape us."
Devolver said in March that they will release a game on the exact day and time as GTA 6. They have yet to reveal what game they will match up against GTA 6, as they have titles that could have follow-ups, such as Cult of the Lambs, Enter the Gungeon, Hotline Miami, and more, or possibly even a new IP.
Meanwhile, other developers and publishers plan to steer clear of GTA 6’s release window. As reported by The Game Business Show in March, they spoke with multiple anonymous game execs and said they are ready to delay their games to avoid GTA 6.
Despite the sudden change in its release, fans are still excited to get their hands on the new chapter of Rockstar Games’ massive open-world action-adventure. Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to be released on May 26, 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
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Rockstar Games Twitter (X) post on GTA 6 Release Date
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reiterates Expectations to Achieve Sequential Increases in, and Record Levels of, Net Bookings in Fiscal 2026 and 2027
Major publishers plan to delay games in face of GTA 6 threat… but are they right to?
