New GTA 6 Report Says Devs Weren’t Surprised By Delay

The wait for GTA 6 just got longer, and it turns out the developers aren’t shocked. On May 2, 2025, Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is now set to release on May 26, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with the PC version likely coming later. Fans were upset, but a new report suggests the team at Rockstar expected this delay all along. Journalist Jason Schreier broke the story, shedding light on why this pushback wasn’t a surprise to those working on the game.

What Rockstar Said About the Delay

Rockstar Games made the delay official through a social media post, focusing on their goal to deliver a top-notch experience. They said, “We’re very sorry this is later than you expected,” and thanked fans for sticking with them. The extra time, they explained, is needed to polish GTA 6 to meet the high bar set by past titles. You can read more about the announcement on Eurogamer. This isn’t new for Rockstar. Games like GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption 2 also faced delays to ensure quality.

Why the Devs Saw It Coming

According to Schreier’s report on GameRant, developers at Rockstar never thought the original Fall 2025 release was realistic. Schreier mentioned, “Nobody I’ve talked to at Rockstar has believed Fall 2025 was a real window for a very long time now.” He’d previously hinted at this, saying he’d be “shocked” if GTA 6 hit 2025, as noted in another GameRant piece. The game’s massive scope, tight deadlines, and a push to avoid crunch were big factors, per NotebookCheck. It shows Rockstar’s trying to balance ambition with better working conditions.

How This Affects Gaming in 2025

With GTA 6 out of the 2025 picture, other big releases might breathe easier. Eurogamer reported that EA was ready to shift Battlefield’s launch to dodge GTA 6, and Sony scheduled Ghost of Yōtei for October after the delay news. It’s a reminder of how much weight GTA 6 carries in the gaming world.

What Fans Think and What’s Next

Fan reactions are all over the place. Most are frustrated, others see the delay as a sign of a better game. Rockstar’s track record with delays suggests it could pay off. For more on what to expect, check out our GTA 6 insights. Keep up with gaming updates at Total Apex Gaming.