Former Rockstar developer warns another GTA 6 delay could push release date into 2027
Where will you be when Grand Theft Auto VI releases?
The problem with that question is that we're not exactly sure when that will be. While Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive have repeatedly locked in November 19, 2026, for the big day the next entry in the long-running Grand Theft Auto franchise will race into our lives, one franchise veteran has warned that another delay could be on the cards.
Even though GTA 6 is penciled in as 2026's biggest game, there's a chance it might not release in 2026 at all.
It's been a long road to GTA VI, and although there were years of leaks and rumors to go on, Rockstar officially confirmed its existence in February 2022. After Take-Two CEO CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed GTA VI missed an unannounced internal launch window of late 2024, the automotive adventure was originally supposed to release in 'Fall 2025'. It was then delayed until May 26, 2026, and finally to its current November 19.
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Whispers that GTA VI will be delayed again are nothing new, while delays in the gaming world are becoming a recurring problem. Remember that Cyberpunk 2077 became the laughing stock of the industry when it was struck by a slew of delays, with the last coming after the game had 'gone gold' and had its master launch disc finalized.
Even though Take-Two is adamant November 19 is the big day – and some people have even booked the day off work – former Rockstar Games senior animator Mike York isn't so sure.
Speaking to indy100, York admitted he wouldn't be surprised if the release date was shifted once again. Instead of it being Cyberpunk 2077's frustrating 21-day delay that came just before release, York suggested it could be by as much as six months.
Although he reminds us he doesn't currently work there so doesn't have the inside track, York reiterated: "Based on my previous experience, they could delay it again. Straight up, they could delay it again. They can.
"They can do whatever they want and people will wait right now, it doesn't matter. If they need to do what they need to do, they'll do it."
GTA VI's pre-orders went live on June 25, 2026, and seemingly broke records, so it's not hard to agree with York that people will wait.
Despite having left Rockstar in 2017, York foreshadowed a potential worst-case scenario: "So if November comes around and they're thinking 'this final mission we have is still not looking very good and there are still a few bugs in this final mission', they'll push it six more months if they have to.
"I would not be shocked at all. I don't think it would hurt them or anything."
There's already been backlash to the idea that we're paying $100 for an Ultimate Edition GTA VI that doesn't come with a physical disc, so just imagine the uproar if it's delayed again. Whether you announce a delay today, or any time between now and November 19, there's sure to be plenty of angry headlines.
The optimists among us would like to hope that Rockstar will be able to hit November 19, and with GTA Online already looking like it's hinting at GTA VI, there's no real need to panic...just yet.