Rockstar Games’ long-awaited GTA 6 has officially been delayed.
Originally slated for a Fall 2025 release, the game is now set to arrive in May 2026. The announcement came via Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, who spoke candidly about the decision and why it was the right move for both the company and the creative team behind GTA 6.
In a conversation with IGN, Zelnick explained that while the delay wasn’t ideal, it was necessary. He said the shift became clear as the team progressed deeper into development. “As we get closer to completion of a title that’s seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof for continued polish become clear,” he stated. According to Zelnick, Rockstar needed “a small amount of incremental time” to fully realize its vision, and he gave his full support.
For fans frustrated by the delay, Zelnick understands the disappointment. “Delays pain me, how could they not?” he admitted. But he emphasized that the end goal justifies the wait. Supporting developers, he said, is crucial when striving for a top-tier game. “The most important thing to do is to support your teams in their search for perfection.”
This isn’t the first time Rockstar has opted to push a major release to ensure quality. Past titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 also faced delays, but the final products were well-received and praised for their polish and depth. Rockstar’s reputation for delivering immersive, richly detailed worlds gives some reassurance that this latest delay isn’t just about timelines, it’s about getting it right.
Zelnick stopped short of promising that there wouldn’t be any further changes, but he expressed confidence in the new May 2026 release window. “I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we’ve been very good about reaching it,” he said.
For now, fans will have to wait a bit longer. But the silver lining is that Rockstar isn’t cutting corners. They’re aiming to deliver a game that lives up to the hype, a true next-gen Grand Theft Auto experience.
With GTA 6 expected to be one of the biggest game releases of the decade and now news of it being delayed, expectations are sky-high. And while the road to release just got a little longer, it seems Rockstar and Take-Two are betting that the wait will be worth it.
In the end, it’s not just about launching a game. It’s about launching the game. And if a bit more time is what it takes to reach that level, most fans would agree, it’s better to wait than to wish they had.
