GTA 6 developer Rockstar Games pushed its launch into May 26, 2026 and said the delay buys more polish, but doubts have emerged about that window. Insider Tom Henderson told Insider Gaming he cannot see GTA 6 shipping in May 2026 and suggested an October release could better capture holiday sales.
Rockstar announced the change earlier in May and framed it as time needed to reach their usual quality bar, linking the shift to extra development and testing; the company said the additional time will help deliver at the level players expect.
Henderson made the comments on Insider Gaming’s weekly show and was careful to note he is not reporting a confirmed second delay, merely his belief based on what he has heard and how big launches behave. The podcast is available at the Insider Gaming podcast on YouTube:
There are a few threads that pushed Henderson toward skepticism: ongoing chatter about changing dates, practical concerns around pre-loading and server strain, and recent high-profile launches that overwhelmed platforms. For background on the game’s long-standing rumor cycle and earlier expectations, I have compiled a rundown of rumors and storylines here.
Henderson warned that without more corroboration, the May 26 date remains just Rockstar’s target and not a guaranteed ship day, and other commentators have suggested a later launch could be possible. To be clear, Henderson said he isn’t sitting on an exclusive delay story; he called it a personal read based on chatter and market realities, and he urged caution before treating his view as confirmed.
“To me personally, I think we are looking at October, and then it allows them to get the holiday sales.”
That comment captures the core tension: a May launch keeps momentum and marketing schedules intact, but an October launch would give Rockstar breathing room before the busiest retail season, and it would also give time to manage pre-load logistics and server capacity in a less pressured window, which may reduce risk when millions attempt to play on day one.
Expectations will shift again if Rockstar posts more updates or concrete production milestones. Without firm corroboration from additional sources, Henderson’s take should be treated as informed but unconfirmed, a single credible insider voice worth watching rather than a finalized change.
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