If you use social media, you have likely encountered a meme that makes fun of the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). After Rockstar Games officially unveiled the game and shared a trailer in late 2023, fans have been looking forward to its release with great excitement. Although the extended development timeline has turned into a recurring joke on the internet, Rockstar Games has revealed another postponement.
The game was originally scheduled for a September 2025 launch, but the developer has revealed a postponement, indicating that more time is needed to refine and complete the title to achieve quality standards. Let’s examine the GTA 6 timeline in this section.
The initial official trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) was unveiled by Rockstar Games on December 4, 2023. This launch occurred a day ahead of schedule because of an online leak. The trailer revealed the game’s location in the imaginary state of Leonida, modeled after Florida, and introduced its main characters, featuring Lucia, the series’ inaugural female protagonist.
It also revealed a preliminary release timeframe of 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles. However, as of May 2025, Rockstar has formally pushed back the launch of GTA 6 to May 26, 2026. The company announced that more time is required to guarantee the game achieves its high-quality benchmarks.
The company announced the delay in a letter, saying, “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.”
Although the delay may disappoint eager fans, Rockstar has emphasised that the additional time is essential to ensure the game reaches the level of quality expected by its worldwide fanbase. The developer remains committed to delivering a title that truly reflects the scale of anticipation surrounding GTA 6. In the letter, it stated, “With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
