Anticipated Launch Date for GTA 6 Announced by Rockstar, However, Timeline Falls Short of Fan Expectations
2025 has proven to be a remarkable year for video gaming, with numerous highly-anticipated releases. However, the most eagerly awaited game of the year, Grand Theft Auto VI, will not be released this year. Initially slated for fall 2025, developer Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive have announced a delay, moving the release date to May 26, 2026.
Rockstar Games expressed their apologies for the delay, attributing it to the desire to meet the high quality standards that fans expect. The announcement came just days after the developers revealed little about the upcoming game, including its setting, characters, and gameplay mechanics.
The official trailer for GTA 6, released in 2023, presented a glimpse into the game's world. Set in a parody of Florida named Leonida, the game will feature two protagonists, Lucy and an unnamed male accomplice, engaging in criminal activities typical of GTA protagonists. The city of Leonida encompasses Vice City, the fictional Miami that was the setting for 2002's GTA: Vice City, and includes modern elements such as social media apps similar to TikTok.
Although some industry experts were not surprised by the delay, as they reportedly did not expect the game to be released this year, there are concerns that the delay might give Rockstar an opportunity to adopt a higher price tag. The budget for GTA 6 is expected to be higher than the $265 million spent on GTA V in 2013.
The possibility of increased pricing for major game releases emerged after Microsoft announced plans to increase game prices to around $80 by the end of the year. However, Take-Two Interactive's CEO Strauss Zelnick indicated that pricing decisions are made at the label level for individual releases. As such, fans may be cautiously optimistic about the price of GTA VI, especially considering Zelnick's comments.
Among the earlier releases of the year, notable games include Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Split Fiction, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also expected to release soon, with Mario Kart World as its launch title and a higher price point compared to previous versions.
- In the midst of 2025's impressive lineup of video games, discussions about the potential price tag of the laptop-friendly, budget-unconcerned Grand Theft Auto VI have arisen, following Microsoft's announced increase in game prices.
- With Rockstar Games' desire for a display of quality in Grand Theft Auto VI, some technology enthusiasts and gamers alike are speculating about the possible utilization of an advanced keyboard and increased RAM for the game, considering its ambitious budget.
- As 2026 approaches, the entertainment value of technology advancements in gaming will be further highlighted with the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI and the Nintendo Switch 2, both of which promise improved graphics and gameplay thanks to the advanced technology at their disposal.
- Despite the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI's release to May 26, 2026, the anticipation and excitement towards the game remain unabated, with many gamers eager to dive back into the world of action, adventure, and criminal activities on the enhanced gaming devices of the new technology era.
