Rockstar Games has delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) to November 19, 2026, citing the need for additional development time to meet player expectations.
The highly anticipated sequel was previously scheduled for May 2026, following earlier delays from 2025. Rockstar said the postponement will allow its developers to “deliver the level of polish players expect and deserve.”
The delay announcement coincided with news that 31 employees were laid off from the studio’s UK offices on October 30. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accused Rockstar of retaliating against unionizing workers. Protests erupted outside the company’s London and Edinburgh offices.
Despite setbacks, excitement around GTA 6 remains high. The game’s second trailer has surpassed 100 million views, offering new glimpses of protagonists Jason and Lucia and the fictional setting of Leonida, inspired by Florida.
Rockstar’s last release, Red Dead Redemption 2, was also delayed by nearly a year but went on to become a critical and commercial success. With production costs among the highest in gaming history, GTA 6 is expected to be one of the most expensive and ambitious video games ever made.
