Grand Theft Auto fans will have to wait another year to get the latest version of the popular video game.
The release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the latest in the series, will be pushed back on May 26, 2026, Rockstar Games said in a statement Friday. The game was scheduled to be released later this year.
“It’s very sad that this is slower than expected,” the Rockstar game said.
“In every game we released, the goal has always been to try and raise your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception,” the company added. “We hope you understand that you need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
Grand Theft Auto, commonly known as GTA in the gaming community, sells millions of copies worldwide. However, fans have been waiting for a new title for more than a decade. The latest version of the game, GTA 5, was released in 2013 and sold over 200 million copies.
Analysts predict that the GTA 6 could become the most profitable entertainment industry launch to date, but delays in launch could reduce revenue in the short term.
Analysts at Wedbush Securities said in a research note that revenue for fiscal year 2026 is expected to be $63.5 billion, compared to the previous $8 billion estimate. However, they say that the delay will not affect lifetime sales of the GTA 6.
The game is expected to sell for over $80 or at the same ballpark as recent Nintendo and Xbox products, Wedbush predicts.
Fans will see it when it hits on the shelves next year First female protagonistwho was imprisoned at the start of the game and then appears along with a male partner, as seen in the 2023 trailer.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, who owns Rockstar Games, defended the move to postpone the release date for the GTA 6.
According to Bloomberg, “We are committed to fully supporting the Rockstar game and taking additional time to realize our creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, committing to being a groundbreaking and smash entertainment experience.
I contributed to this report.
