Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed until at least November 19, 2026, Rockstar Games confirmed on Thursday.
"We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve," the gaming studio wrote on X/Twitter.
"We want to thank you again for your patience and support. While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern day Vice City," their statement continued.
The announcement came amid Take-Two Interactive Software's earnings report also published on Thursday, leading to an after-hours predicted drop of stock price from approximately $252 to $227.50. However, as the stock market had already closed, this price is tentative.
The highly anticipated game, which would be the first entry in the popular series since the release of GTA5 in 2013, was originally expected to be released in the Fall 2025 season, before Take-Two delayed it to May 2026.
Industry experts estimate that when the game is eventually released, it could break records, selling over 40 million copies in the first year, even if the game raises market prices by coming to market for $100, as some industry observers predict.
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Take-Two chief Strauss Zelnick attempted to mitigate the fallout by stating that "We are grateful that it is still within the same fiscal year. And mostly we’re grateful to Rockstar for constantly seeking perfection," in an interview with IGN.
"When we set a date, we really do believe in it. We said when we set the last date, if a game requires more polish to be the best possible version of itself, then we will give that game more time. And that's exactly what happened," he told The Game Business.
"We feel really good about this release date. It's in the same fiscal year, it happens to be a great release window, and naturally we're really supportive of Rockstar's approach," he added.