Release Date
- Grand Theft Auto VI is officially set to launch on May 26, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar Games confirmed this date on May 2, 2025, delaying the release from its initial Fall 2025 window. In their announcement, Rockstar stated, “We’re so sorry that this is later than you were hoping for. The excitement for a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly overwhelming for our team. We hope you’ll understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
Confirmed Platforms
- The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The second trailer, released on May 6, 2025, specifies that it was captured on a PS5 (not PS5 Pro), confirming the focus on these consoles.
- No official mention of a PC release has been made for May 2026. Historically, Rockstar releases PC versions after consoles. For example, GTA V arrived on PC in April 2015, over a year after its September 2013 console launch. This suggests PC players might wait until late 2026 or 2027 for GTA VI.
Reason for the Delay
- Rockstar explained that the delay is due to their commitment to “exceed expectations” and deliver a high-quality game. A report by Jason Schreier, cited across multiple sources, noted that Rockstar employees had anticipated this delay for months due to the extensive work remaining and the company’s aim to avoid crunch conditions (excessive overtime). This reflects an industry shift toward better working conditions, though some critics, such as the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, have pointed out that Rockstar has faced criticism for contradicting promises of workplace flexibility.
Trailers and Announcements
- First Trailer (December 4, 2023): Officially revealed the game, introducing protagonists Lucia and Jason, and showcasing Vice City in the fictional state of Leonida (inspired by Florida). The trailer quickly amassed millions of views, becoming a viral sensation.
- Second Trailer (May 6, 2025): Following the delay announcement, Rockstar released a second trailer lasting 2 minutes and 46 seconds. It delves deeper into the story, showing Lucia leaving prison and teaming up with Jason for a crime spree in Vice City, styled after Bonnie and Clyde. The trailer also included 70 new screenshots, 16 clips, and 14 pieces of artwork, alongside an updated Rockstar website with details on the story and characters.
Setting and Atmosphere
- The game is set in the fictional state of Leonida, based on Florida, with a focus on Vice City, a Miami-inspired city. The map features areas like Vice-Dale County (home to Vice City), Port VC/Keys, and the Everglades-inspired swamps of Kelly County.
- Rockstar describes GTA VI as “the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet,” promising a living, breathing open world with dynamic NPCs (such as those filming TikTok-style videos), interactive weather, and wildlife.
Story and Protagonists
- The story follows a criminal duo: Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval. Lucia is the series’ first non-optional female protagonist, starting the game at Leonida Penitentiary after struggling for her family in Liberty City. Jason, a former military man who worked for local traffickers, is her partner. After a failed bank heist, they become entangled in a state-wide conspiracy, forcing them to rely on each other to survive.
- Other characters include:
- Boobie Ike: A Vice City entrepreneur running an empire that includes real estate, a strip club, and a recording studio (Only Raw Records).
- Dre’Quan Priest: Co-owner of Only Raw Records with Boobie, focused on the music scene.
- Bae-Luxe and Roxy (Real Dimez): A musical duo signed to Only Raw Records.
- Raul Bautista: An experienced bank robber.
- Cal Hampton: Jason’s paranoid friend.
- Brian Heder: A trafficker and Jason’s landlord.
Production Details
- Rockstar began preliminary work on GTA VI in 2014, following GTA V’s release, with full development starting after Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018. Internally, the game was known as Project Americas during production.
- The game runs on an enhanced version of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE), promising advanced graphics and mechanics, including improved NPC AI and a dynamic environment.
- A “significant online mode” similar to GTA Online is expected, though no specific details have been shared.
Commercial Expectations
- Analysts predict GTA VI will break sales records. DFC Intelligence forecasts 40 million copies sold and $3.2 billion in revenue in its first year, including $1 billion in pre-orders. Wedbush Securities estimates $6.35 billion in sales for fiscal year 2026, though they adjusted projections after the delay.
- The game is expected to retail between $80 and $100, higher than the standard $70, potentially setting a new pricing trend in the industry. However, some analysts consider this unlikely.
- Unconfirmed rumors suggest the game’s budget might exceed $1-2 billion, making it the most expensive game ever developed.
Impact of the Delay
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, saw its stock drop 8% after the delay announcement, as the game will now launch in their fiscal year 2027.
The delay to May 2026 has impacted the industry. Other publishers, who avoided releasing games in Fall 2025 to steer clear of competing with GTA VI, now have more room for their launches, such as Borderlands 4, Ghost of Yotei, and Mafia: The Old Country. Nintendo also benefits, as it prepares for the Switch 2 launch.