The agonizing wait for Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated video game releases, has finally come to an end, as Rockstar Games has confirmed that the game will be released on May 26, 2026. This news comes after months of speculation and rumors, with fans eagerly awaiting an update on the game’s release date. The confirmation came via a post on Rockstar’s website on May 2, 2025, where the company apologized for the delay and assured fans that the extra time was needed to deliver a game that meets their high standards.
The wait for GTA6 has been a long and arduous one, with fans eagerly anticipating the release of the game. The first trailer for GTA6 was released in December 2023, and it showed off incredible graphics, familiar gameplay, and a little bit of the story. The trailer ended with the message “GTA6: coming 2025”, which sparked a frenzy of speculation and theories about the game’s gameplay and release date. However, Rockstar waited a long time to confirm the release date, which should have been a red flag for fans.
Shot from GTA 6 (Image via Getty)The delay was announced on May 2, 2025, along with a firm release date of May 26, 2026. According to Rockstar, “The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.” The company also emphasized that the goal is to exceed fans’ expectations, and that the extra time is needed to deliver a game that meets their high standards.
The second trailer for GTA6 was released on May 6, 2025, and it focused heavily on Jason, one of the two controllable characters, along with Lucia. The trailer showed snippets of the storyline, which is rumored to be based on Bonnie and Clyde. The trailer also gave a look into the beautiful Vice City graphics, which have been a major talking point among fans.
As the release date approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating more information about the game. The game promises to be an open-world action-adventure title, with the familiar gameplay that fans have come to expect from the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Players will be able to roam, do what they want, and progress through the story at their leisure. The game will be a console-exclusive title, at least initially, and will only be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
At this stage, it is likely that Rockstar is polishing gameplay and eliminating any bugs, with motion capture and voice acting work likely complete. The exact number of story mode missions may well be being trimmed by the studio to ensure that the flow is perfect. All recent Rockstar releases have followed a similar pattern of multiple gameplay trailers ahead of launch, so players can look forward to getting to know more about the State of Leonida ahead of launch.
Shot from GTA 6 (Image via Getty)The delay may have been a disappointment for some fans, but it appears that Rockstar is committed to delivering a game that meets their high standards. As the company said, “With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception.” Fans will have to wait a little longer, but it seems that it will be worth it in the end.
The gaming community is eagerly awaiting the release of GTA6, and Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, is set to have an earnings call on May 15, which will likely focus on projections for the 2026 release. The company had previously indicated that the game was on schedule for launch in Q3/Q4 2025, but it appears that the delay was necessary to ensure that the game meets the company’s quality standards.
In the end, the wait for GTA6 will be worth it, as Rockstar is committed to delivering a game that exceeds fans’ expectations. The game’s release date may have been delayed, but the extra time will ensure that the game meets the company’s high standards. Fans can rest assured that the game will be an open-world action-adventure title, with the familiar gameplay that they have come to expect from the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
