The developer apologized for the delay from the previously planned fall 2025 window in a brief statement released today. “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected,” Rockstar Games said. “The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team.”
The statement emphasized that with every game they’ve released, their goal has always been to exceed player expectations, noting that Grand Theft Auto VI would be no exception. Rockstar indicated the additional development time is necessary to “deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
The company promised to share more information about the game “soon,” though no specific timeline for future announcements was provided.
This delay means fans will need to wait approximately six more months to return to the fictional world of Vice City, with the game now confirmed for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Grand Theft Auto VI was first announced in February 2022, with a debut trailer released in December 2023 that broke viewership records across social media platforms. The upcoming title is the first mainline entry in the franchise since Grand Theft Auto V launched in 2013.
Industry analysts suggest that while disappointing for eager fans, such delays are increasingly common for major AAA game productions, especially those with the scale and complexity of a Grand Theft Auto title.
The Grand Theft Auto franchise has sold more than 400 million units worldwide, with GTA V alone accounting for over 195 million copies, making it one of the best-selling entertainment products of all time.
Rockstar Games’ parent company, Take-Two Interactive, is expected to address the financial implications of this delay in its upcoming quarterly earnings call.
