‘Here we go again’: GTA VI release date postponed for the second time

The “we saw XYZ before GTA 6” meme trend got another reason to stay as the most-anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto VI, has been delayed once again. Fans would have to wait another couple of months for the popular open-world game’s release, as the date has now been pushed to November 19, 2026.

This is the second time the sequel game, created by Rockstar Games, has been delayed. It was slated for a May 2026 release. The first time GTA VI was postponed was in 2025. The game’s prequel, GTA V, was released 12 years ago in 2013.

Why has it been delayed?

In a statement published on Thursday, Rockstar Games said, “We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.”

It added, “We want to thank you again for your patience and support. While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern day Vice City.”

Will it be worth the wait?

GTA VI is expected to be a major catalyst that could spur console and hardware upgrades, giving a boost to the videogame industry growth at a time when gamers get choosy with titles and prefer sticking with proven franchises.

“Taking the right amount of time to develop and perfect the game is important because generally rushed games with flaws often never recover/reach sales potential,” D.A. Davidson & Co analyst Wyatt Swanson toldReuters.

Analysts expect the game to generate billions in sales within the first few weeks of launch.

GTA VI is set to release 13 years after “Grand Theft Auto V” took the industry by storm with its advanced graphics, gameplay mechanics, and realistic environments, making it one of the most profitable videogames ever.