GTA 6 Delayed to May 2026, Impacting Video Game Industry

Los Angeles, CA — Rockstar Games has officially announced that the release date for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 has been pushed back to May 26, 2026. This delay is approximately six months later than the previously scheduled Fall 2025 release. While many enthusiasts within the gaming community express disappointment, industry analysts note that the delay could provide a sigh of relief for other video game developers.

Mat Piscatella, a Circana analyst, explained that GTA 6 is viewed as a critical product that could shape the future of the gaming market. Before the announcement, many developers feared releasing their titles in the same timeframe as GTA 6, which is expected to be a major blockbuster. “If you’re a publisher, releasing your game at the same time as Grand Theft Auto 6 is akin to throwing a bucket of water into a tsunami,” Piscatella stated.

The video game industry saw a total revenue of $184.3 billion in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. However, the console market experienced a 1% revenue drop, prompting concerns about sales and investment. Piscatella believes that GTA 6 could have stimulated significant hardware sales during the holiday season in 2025, which will now not be realized.

Reports indicate that GTA 6 may become the first $100 video game and could generate upwards of $1 billion in pre-orders. This potential pricing shift represents a landmark moment for the industry, fueling expectations for substantial revenue growth.

“With Grand Theft Auto 6 being one of the most anticipated games, its delay may affect overall industry spending, potentially leading to a mid single-digit percentage drop in total revenue in 2025,” Piscatella warned.

In light of the delay, some developers may now scramble to adjust their release schedules. “The news has allowed other publishers to feel more secure in announcing their own launch plans, though they will likely reconsider their timing in respect to GTA 6,” said Piscatella.

The change in release date prompted a decrease in Take-Two Interactive‘s stock value, and CEO Strauss Zelnick reassured investors about the successful future of Grand Theft Auto V, scheduled for a release next year.

With only one shot to get GTA 6 right after a decade-long wait, Rockstar aims to deliver a title that aims to shift the gaming landscape. Delays have been part of the company’s history with its previous major titles. Observers speculate that with the repeated delays, one more push to late 2026 could be in the cards.

Furthermore, there’s potential for this delay to impact Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console, as there are rumors regarding a possible collaboration with Grand Theft Auto 6’s release. Such moves could signify a growing relationship between Take-Two and Nintendo, which has been historically complex.

As the excitement surrounding GTA 6 builds, many await its new release date, with hopes that the game will meet the high expectations set by its predecessors.