They say good things come to those who wait, and Rockstar Games is determined to test that theory and see how many will continue to hold out hope for the game. GTA 6 has been delayed one more time. The good news is that the publisher was able to provide a GTA 6 release update themselves instead of allowing rumors to carry the news around. The bad news is that it won’t be out until 2026 at the earliest. 

The GTA 6 2026 release was confirmed on the team’s website and social media pages, stating that the game would officially be out on May 26, 2026. Now that the GTA 6 launch has been postponed, we can spend some time focusing on other Game of the Year contenders like Blue Prince and Clair Obscur Expedition 33, but the echoes of disappointment can be felt ricocheting off the wall of the empty slot that the absence of GTA 6 leaves behind.

GTA 6 PC delay

Are you surprised by the GTA 6 delay? Many saw it coming but still feel betrayed by the announcement. (Image: Rockstar Games)

GTA 6 Delayed to May 26, 2026—Rockstar Games Wants to Exceed Your Expectations With a Finished Title

The GTA 6 delay announcement comes as a shock to some fans after all these months they spent hunting for breadcrumbs of an update. Over the last few months, most GTA 6 news has been manifested by pure dedication, with fans scouring the existing trailer for clues and reading too deeply into previous release patterns to determine when the game would drop. The change in Borderlands 4 release date was seen as a positive sign that the studio was making room for GTA 6’s release.

After a smattering of confident claims that we would get a GTA 6 release date and second trailer “anytime now,” fans have finally got what they wanted—a confirmed date. The only drawback is that instead of releasing in late 2025, GTA 6 will now be out on May 26, 2026. Considering all the delays around the game, this could change again, so we wouldn’t mark our calendars just yet.

Why has Grand Theft Auto 6 Been Delayed?

Rockstar Games hasn’t provided a clear-cut explanation for why GTA 6 is being delayed, but it did say that “the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations,” and that’s why they need the extra time to “deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.” With the level of silence the developer and publisher have maintained around the game, it’s no surprise that the GTA 6 launch is being postponed.

As disappointing as the news is, at the end of the day, it’s better to see a finished game make a debut rather than the rushed release of a title that leaves everyone disappointed. Assassin’s Creed Shadows faced its own share of delays this year and the final launch showed us it was worth the wait. Rumors around the GTA 6 delay suggest it was done to avoid forcing employees to operate under a time crunch, which would be as good a justification as any to postpone the release.

 “Sim Killer” InZoi tried a different strategy of an early launch on an unfinished game, but it burned some of the goodwill it had earned pre-launch in the process. It’s still an interesting strategy, but a complicated one nonetheless.

What Does GTA 6’s 2026 Release Mean for Gamers?

The disappointment is palpable, but not as many gamers are shocked by the delay as expected. The most frustrated fans of the lot are PC gamers, as it is very likely that the May 26, 2026 release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 is more exclusively for console gamers. Even this date is likely to change by the time we get to 2026, so the PC release will inevitably be pushed further back.

GTA 6 PC release rumors and previous release patterns suggest that a PC release for this title will come much later than May. A few months of waiting may not be difficult to make peace with, but many are worried that the GTA 6’s PC delay will result in a 2027 reveal. Some fans are even convinced a 2028 PC release could be on the cards.

This would track with how GTA 5 was released. There are many rumors about possible new PlayStation and Xbox hardware releases in the next year or two, so all efforts will be focused on optimizing the game for these rumored platforms if true. On the positive side, those who want to buy the game for the Switch 2 will have more time to get their hands on the elusive console first, before the game is out. 

Another year of “before GTA 6” jokes will likely be the worst result of this delay. 

GTA 6 PC release rumors

Its hard not to pine over the potential of GTA 6 and pray that its release sticks to schedule.

Gamers Might Be Disappointed but the GTA 6 News Is Great for Developers

The ever-looming release of GTA 6 had cast a shadow of uncertainty around developers and publishers with releases this year. Even with no confirmation on its arrival, gamers and critics alike were certain that GTA 6 would win the title of game of the year easily, and dominate the conversation around gaming. 

With GTA 6 now delayed, fans who were saving up for the game will open up their wallets to other titles more willingly to see what 2025 has to offer. Games like Ghost of Yotei, which are scheduled for release later this year, will be able to enjoy their time out in the sun.

Of course, studios that either rushed the release to avoid coinciding with GTA 6 or delayed their own releases to avoid coming out at the same time, will be extremely disappointed to see the news. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games’ parent company, supported the publisher’s decision to delay GTA 6’s release. The parent company’s shares fell by 7% on Friday, so the announcement has left its mark.

GTA 6 Delay Impact: How Are Fans Feeling?

Most gamers are taking the GTA 6 delay announcement in stride and moving on to focus on other tiles as they’d seen the news coming from a mile away. A finished game is better than a rushed one, and there are other titles to look forward to in the meantime. 

Some gamers, however, are furious with the delay, calling it a failure for Rockstar Games. For these fans, minor delays would have been acceptable, but a decade-long wait puts the studio’s capabilities into question. With the console cycle also ready to move on to the next generation, Rockstar Games’ work on GTA 6 has left many wondering what they could have been struggling with for this long.

It’s hard to know about the complications that come up when perfecting a game, especially a game with as much attention on it as GTA 6. A buggy release could be overlooked for some smaller titles, but for a big-budget release like this one, Rockstar Games appears determined to release a finished version that no one can complain about. If they have the funds to make it work, then we can’t fault the studio for taking its time.

For those disappointed that GTA 6’s launch has been postponed, GTA 5 is still as relevant as ever. Alternatively, you could put your PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscriptions to good use and see what free games they have to offer.

Are you frustrated that GTA 6 has been delayed or did you see it coming? Let us know. Subscribe to Technowize for more updates on all things tech and gaming.

tagged in GTA 6 2026 release, GTA 6 delay announcement, GTA 6 delay impact, GTA 6 delayed, GTA 6 launch postponed, GTA 6 news, GTA 6 PC delay, GTA 6 PC release rumors, GTA 6 release update
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