GTA 6 Launch Delayed to 2026: Analyst Explains Reasons

Key Takeaways

1. GTA 6’s release date has been pushed to May 2026, a change that was somewhat expected internally at Rockstar.
2. Developer workloads, strict deadlines, and management’s shift in priorities contributed to the delay.
3. Jason Schreier reported that Rockstar staff had long doubted the feasibility of a Fall 2025 launch.
4. Online reactions include surprise at Take-Two’s decision to prioritize employee well-being, contrasting with its past practices.
5. Fans are generally positive about the delay, hoping it will reduce stressful crunch periods experienced during previous game developments.


Shortly after Rockstar announced that GTA 6’s release date has been pushed to May 2026, new reports indicate that this delay was somewhat expected behind closed doors. Journalist and well-known analyst Jason Schreier noted that the Rockstar developers had not genuinely anticipated a Fall 2025 launch for some time. This was due to excessive workloads, strict deadlines, and a change in management’s views on preventing severe crunch.

Inside Scoop on the Delay

On Bluesky, Schreier mentioned, “nobody I’ve talked to at Rockstar has believed Fall 2025 was a real window for a very long time now.” He also pointed out that the shift to 2026 has seemed unavoidable internally for quite a while. To be honest, this aligns with what many fans had guessed, particularly since GTA 6 has been under development for almost ten years now.

Online Reactions

Naturally, this fresh context has ignited some fascinating conversations online. Some users express surprise at what they consider an unusually “mature” choice by Take-Two to postpone the game for the sake of employee well-being, especially given the publisher’s past reputation for pressuring studios. Others have suggested that the timing of the delay may have been deliberately chosen to prevent unnecessary investor anxiety too soon, allowing the company to manage its share value during crucial earnings calls.

Fan Reactions and Criticism

We also observed some lighthearted teasing regarding the new May 26 date, with fans questioning why Rockstar didn’t target a “6/26/26” launch for the sake of style. However, the majority of the feedback has been quite positive, particularly from gamers who recall the stressful crunch periods during the final stages of Red Dead Redemption 2’s development.

At this point, the 2026 release window for GTA 6 appears to be quite solid. Whether this will help avoid the typical last-minute pressure that Rockstar is known for is still uncertain, but for now, the company seems to be aiming for a different approach.

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