Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI will be a generational title, much like Grand Theft Auto 5before it. After years of waiting, Rockstar finally confirmed that it's coming out in 2025. But recent reports suggest that the wait might be longer than expected.
In late 2023, Rockstar unveiled GTA 6 captivating fans with the promise of returning to Vice City, a fictional representation of Miami, Florida. The announcement has since set new records and continues to rack up views by the thousands. However, Kotaku claims that sources close to the development have raised concerns that the game is "falling behind" schedule, hinting at a potential delay into late 2025 or even 2026.
The crux of the issue appears to be Rockstar's mandate for a return to office work. In February, Bloomberg highlighted that Rockstar employees were required to resume in-person work, a move that has reportedly led to dissatisfaction among staff. It aims to bolster productivity and security as the game enters its final development stages. But it has also sparked fears of renewed "crunch" culture within the company, risking employee burnout and potential staff departures.
Rockstar's push for a return to office work in April is a significant factor contributing to the potential delay of GTA 6. The decision, driven by concerns over security and quality, has reportedly resulted in development on the game starting to "fall behind." Amidst these challenges, Rockstar's internal goal remains a spring 2025 release. But it's believed that a fall 2025 launch is more feasible, as per Kotaku's sources. Specifically, the same sources are referring to a potential 2026 release for GTA 6 as an "emergency" option.
