In a move that’s become all too familiar for eager fans, Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will face yet another delay, pushing its launch from the previously targeted spring release date to November 19, 2026.
The decision, announced in a brief statement on the company’s official website, references the need for additional time to ensure the game meets “the level of polish” gamers deserve and expect from the company. Rockstar added that the extra months will allow the development team to refine key features in-game, including the open-world environment set in the fictional state of “Leonida,” inspired by the iconic “Vice City.”
“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,” Rockstar wrote. “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.”
This postponement marks the second significant setback for GTA 6 in less than a year.
The game was originally slated for a late 2025 debut before being bumped to early 2026 in May, a shift that had already drawn widespread attention, with fanatical anticipation following the game’s star-studded reveal trailer in December 2023.
The first part of the trailer for the game has garnered over 268 million views on YouTube alone. The second preview, released shortly after, has garnered over 100 million views on YouTube.
The announcement sparked a viral response from gamers worldwide, with hashtags such as #GTA6Delay and #RockstarWhy trending on X within hours. Many of those reactions were not too happy, to say the least.
“Wild that GTA6 will be the last Grand Theft Auto release I’ll likely be alive to see. I mean, hopefully I’ll get to 6. But ya never know,” wrote BlueSky user Mat Piscatella.
Another X account under the name GTASixInfo wrote, “I’m losing my mind.”
For now, gamers settle in for another stretch of waiting. With GTA 6 poised to potentially shatter sales records – with voice actors working on the game estimating a billion-dollar opening day in sales, according to GTABoom.com – the pressure is on Rockstar to deliver.
The delay from Rockstar amplifies the irony of the company and its leader’s political views.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser once said in 2018 he was relieved to avoid launching a GTA title during Trump’s first presidency, describing the national mood as too “militant” and “angry” for the series’ brand of satire.
The latest push to November 2026 confirms that GTA 6 will still be released under Trump, regardless of Rockstar’s preference for who is in office.