GTA 6 has been a very long time coming, and one of many greatest questions in gaming proper now could be “When is GTA 6’s launch date?” Thus far developer Rockstar has been tight-lipped on the matter, solely teasing a 2025 launch in its first GTA 6 trailer. However even that imprecise launch window might change as manufacturing woes may push it again to 2026, in response to the most recent rumors.
In keeping with a brand new Kotaku report, the studio’s present purpose is to launch GTA 6 in “early 2025,” as beforehand rumored, however it’s “changing into increasingly more probably” {that a} delay will push it to late 2025 and even 2026, sources with information of the sport’s growth informed the outlet below the situation of anonymity. Sources say a Fall 2025 launch appears extra possible at this stage of growth, however delaying the sport till 2026 can be being mentioned as a kind of “fallback plan” or “emergency” possibility if wanted.
Whereas it is not precisely clear from the reporting why manufacturing is “falling behind” schedule, it is sufficient to have Rockstar management fearful about hitting its Spring 2025 launch window. This manufacturing setback is reportedly one of many most important causes Rockstar issued its controversial return-to-office mandate as GTA 6’s growth enters the house stretch. Rockstar mentioned the choice was for productiveness and safety causes, in response to an inside electronic mail to employees reviewed by Bloomberg.
The quick discover and drastic coverage shift reportedly caught many staff unexpectedly. In response to information of the mandate, which begins in April, builders on the sometimes secretive studio spoke out to Aftermath about issues that Rockstar may bleed expertise at a crucial time if pissed off distant staff begin leaving. Others are fearful that Rockstar might backslide into the form of brutal crunch culture it has been identified for up to now.
In fact, it is necessary to take all this speak of GTA 6’s launch with a grain of salt till Rockstar confirms something. Nonetheless, it’s shortly changing into clear that GTA 6’s ultimate 12 months or so of growth is shaping as much as be extra of a headache than Rockstar anticipated. It would not be the primary time, both; GTA 5 was famously set to launch in Spring 2013 earlier than being delayed till October of that very same 12 months. Its successor may very properly share the identical destiny.