Although the open-world sequel GTA 6 is scheduled to release in 2019, the team is concerned that it may not happen until 2026.
Millions of gamers worldwide are awaiting any hint of information or screenshots of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), arguably one of the most anticipated games in history. The game is an open-world crime simulator. GTA 6 may miss its 2025 release window and instead come out in 2026, according to Kotaku’s sources with knowledge of the game’s development process, as remote workers battle Rockstar Games’ unwelcome return-to-office edict.
The much awaited sequel to 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V, GTA 6, was officially released in December 2023 (after a big leak in 2022). More than ten years after the game’s debut—and its enormous, continuously rising sales figures—Rockstar Games is hard at work developing Vice City, a fictitious version of Miami, Florida. Internally, the game is still scheduled to launch on the PS5 and Xbox Series sometime in 2025. Sources with knowledge of the issue informed Kotaku that the current objective is “early 2025.”
It’s seeming more and more likely, though, that the sequel won’t be released until late 2025. It’s also feasible that, given the alleged production delays, it might even fall into 2026.
It was revealed in February, after multiple leaks, that Rockstar Games was requiring its staff to report back to work five days a week starting in April. Many were taken aback by the abrupt and significant change, which has irritated employees who believe they are being let go despite being recruited remotely, as Aftermath noted on March 19.
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The sources, who would like to remain anonymous to prevent any retaliation, informed me that progress on Grand Theft Auto 6 has begun “falling behind,” even though security and quality are supposedly the primary reasons Rockstar is enforcing the requirement to come to the office. I’ve been informed that Rockstar’s leadership is anxious about the game falling into 2026 instead of 2025, which is one of the main reasons the studio is pushing for an April return to work.
According to what’s been informed, Rockstar is still “aiming” for GTA 6 to release in the spring of 2025. Although an early 2025 release is the intended date, sources say they are unsure if this will actually occur and that a fall 2025 debut is more likely to occur. If necessary, postponing the game until 2026 is a possibility as a kind of “fallback plan” or “emergency” measure.
It should be noted, too—and I was reminded of this when speaking with people about this situation—that Rockstar Games usually waits until the “last minute” to make changes or alter plans. As a result, the next game trailer, when it will be released, may not reflect a delay as the company continues to move forward with development.
As GTA VI moves into the closing stages of its protracted production, one employee expressed concerns that Rockstar Games, which had been making progress over the previous few years, would relapse into development crunch.
“We’re worried about returning to that,” a Rockstar staff member told Aftermath. “I’ve worked on a few projects that were under pressure. The first one was really challenging. I had a lot less gray hair in those days. We want to keep up the progress our business has achieved in getting rid of that toxic culture.
Workers who are being compelled to return to work against their will will still have to make ends meet even if the game is publicly or internally delayed until 2026 or late 2025. Delays can, in fact, occasionally result in increased pressure. Yet, given that the firm wants to release GTA 6 by early 2025, it’s obvious that the game’s last year or two of production won’t be simple or quick.
