Rockstar recently announced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will no longer launch in fall 2025, moving its release to May 26, 2026. While the official reasons mention quality and meeting expectations, a report from Jason Schreier sheds light on a key factor behind the delay.
Schreier, known for his dependable industry insights, suggests the delay is partly due to avoiding the intense crunch periods Rockstar has faced in the past. He references his 2018 coverage of Red Dead Redemption 2’s development, noting that Rockstar appears to be making changes to reduce overtime and improve employee conditions.
“Nobody I’ve talked to at Rockstar has believed Fall 2025 was a real window for a very long time now. Too much work, not enough time, and what appears to be a real desire from management to avoid brutal crunch. GTA VI slipping to 2026 has seemed inevitable for months if not longer.”
“Skepticism is always healthy, but I’ve been keeping tabs on this for years (since my big 2018 story about Red Dead 2’s crunch). They certainly haven’t eliminated all overtime but everyone I’ve talked to at Rockstar says it’s night and day from previous projects. If that changes, I’ll report on it.”
The delay has caused a nearly 7% drop in Take-Two’s stock after prior assurances of a 2025 release, though the company’s shares remain strong overall, up 50% over the past year. This suggests investors are not overly concerned despite the setback.
Players can expect a more polished game, and Rockstar staff may benefit from less pressure during development. Other developers might also feel relieved that GTA 6 won’t compete for attention this fall. However, fans are still waiting for another trailer to get a better look at the game.
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