As high hopes build for Grand Theft Auto 6, reports indicate that at least three major video game publishers are preparing to delay their games based on the forthcoming title’s release date. Rockstar’s highly awaited sequel is officially set for this Fall, although a confirmed launch date remains absent. Parent company Take-Two recently stated that it’s “on track” for release in 2025.
Market analysts predict that GTA 6 will be the biggest gaming event of 2025, leading multiple major publishers to consider moving their own release schedules to avoid overlap, as reported by The Game Business. One executive from a top publishing company noted, “Rockstar games always suck a lot of money and, more importantly, time out of the market. We don’t want to be anywhere near that. We are working up multiple different plans for our titles.”
A second senior executive echoed these sentiments: “Even without GTA, it’s tough to find free time for new games to shine. Time is the real scarcity for us, not money. It’s tough out there.” A third AAA publisher based in Europe highlighted concerns over GTA’s possible launch timing around late October or early November, which could limit their options significantly.
This European publisher explained the dilemma: “We don’t want to launch just before or after the game. If it arrives in late October, you either have to launch early, something many seem to do with this summer’s glut of releases, or go later and contend with Black Friday sales.”
The conversation extends beyond traditional game releases; two developers from ‘Top 10’ live service titles mentioned plans to change major updates away from GTA 6’s launch window.
In response to these forecasts regarding GTA’s massive potential impact on sales and player attention, Takes-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated:, “I never claim victory before it occurs… I think [Rockstar Games] will once again deliver something phenomenal… Certainly, the high hopes are high.“
