When does GTA 6 come out? Rockstar confirms new delay to November 2026

Grand Theft Auto VI faces another delay. Rockstar Games confirmed that the long-awaited title will now launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026, six months later than the previous date of May 26. The announcement was made on their official website and through @RockstarGames on X.

In the statement, the studio explained:

“We’re sorry to add more time to what we know has been a long wait, but these additional months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish players expect and deserve.”

They also thanked the community for its patience and support, stating they are “incredibly excited” for players to explore the state of Leonida and a modern-day Vice City.

From 2025 to 2026: a history of delays

The development of GTA VI has faced multiple postponements, reflecting Rockstar’s characteristic perfectionism.

• Initial announcement (Dec 2023): release planned for fall 2025.
• Update in May 2025: shifted to May 26, 2026 to ensure quality and avoid crunch.
• New delay (Nov 2025): moved to November 19, 2026 for final polish.

“Releasing a game too early can cause serious problems. We have full confidence that Rockstar will deliver an unmatched experience.”

Reasons behind the delay: quality above all

The main argument behind the change is Rockstar’s commitment to quality.
GTA VI has been in development for over a decade and is shaping up to be the studio’s most ambitious project ever, with a budget reportedly in the billions.

• Platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at launch; the PC version will arrive later (likely in 2027).
• Setting: The fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, with a modern Vice City.
• Protagonists: Lucia and Jason Duval, inspired by Bonnie and Clyde.

In October 2025, reports emerged of internal layoffs tied to alleged leaks. Some outlets and unions accused the company of union busting, though Rockstar denied any link between those events and the delay.

 

Industry and community impact

The announcement immediately impacted Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), whose shares dropped around 8% in after-hours trading.

In terms of scheduling, the move opens space for other major 2026 releases (like Marvel’s Wolverine) but keeps the end of the year highly competitive.
On social media, fans reacted with memes and mixed feelings:

“Jesus will return before GTA VI,” joked one user.
Others supported the move:
“Better polished than buggy.”

What to expect next

So far, two official trailers have been released (December 2023 and May 2025), surpassing 475 million combined views. A third trailer could arrive in early 2026, along with pre-orders expected to open around February.

Expectations remain sky-high: analysts project over $2 billion in initial sales and continued expansion of GTA Online over the next few years.

Rockstar ended its statement with a clear message:

“We’re excited for Vice City.”

The wait goes on, but players are already counting down the days until their return to Leonida in 2026.