Rockstar Games today announced a second delay for "Grand Theft Auto VI," pushing its release to November 19, 2026. The news, revealed during parent company Take-Two Interactive's second-quarter earnings call, confirmed the postponement is to "give the team more time to apply final polish and ensure it meets the quality standards players expect and deserve."
In a statement, Take-Two affirmed: "Rockstar remains dedicated to creating unparalleled entertainment experiences, and we fully support their decision to extend development time. This will ensure 'GTA 6' is completed to the highest standards, delivering an unprecedented gaming experience to players worldwide."
"GTA 6" was originally slated for Fall 2025, then pushed to May 2026, and now faces another six-month delay. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, in an interview with IGN, admitted the delay was to ensure the final quality would not be compromised.
"We've been given more development time, bringing us closer to completion. We are grateful that Rockstar consistently strives for perfection," he stated, adding that despite the extended timeline, the game would still launch within the same fiscal year.
For players who have long awaited the sequel, while not entirely unexpected, the news sparked significant discussion within the community. Most fans expressed understanding and support, though some voiced disappointment, feeling that Rockstar's "classic delay pattern" seemed to be repeating itself.
Zelnick also emphasized during the investor call that the "GTA 6" delay would not impact the update cadence for "GTA Online," assuring that the online mode would continue to receive a steady stream of content.
However, amidst the strong financial report, Take-Two is also facing internal labor disputes. Last week, the company laid off dozens of employees, citing "gross misconduct" and "leaking confidential information." The terminated employees, however, countered that the real reason was their involvement in unionization discussions. The incident sparked protests, with employees and supporters gathering today outside Rockstar North and Take-Two's UK offices.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Take-Two still achieved its best second-quarter performance in company history. The report indicated net bookings of $1.96 billion for the quarter, primarily driven by three new titles: "NBA 2K26," "Mafia: The Old Country," and "Borderlands 4." "NBA 2K26" has sold over 5 million units since its launch, while "Grand Theft Auto V" continues its strong performance, with cumulative sales exceeding 220 million units.
While the release of "GTA 6" remains distant, players continue to anticipate this next-generation blockbuster's eventual perfect debut, trusting in Rockstar's philosophy of "better late than bad."
via： Rockstar Games IGN