3 possible reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed again

The news of another delay has caused a lot of people to question about the reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed yet again. The game was first scheduled to come out in the Fall season of 2025, and after that, its release was moved to May of 2026. Now, Rockstar Games has officially stated that the game will actually be released on November 19, 2026, which is six months later than the last expected date.

That means by the time it arrives, fans will have waited 13 years since GTA V first hit shelves in 2013. While the frustration is understandable, this move isn’t surprising for Rockstar. Here are three possible reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed again.

Note: Parts of this article are subjective and based on the author's views.

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Listing three possible reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed again

1) Rockstar wants more time for polishing and stability

Polishing and stability are one of the reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed (Image via Rockstar Games)

When Rockstar stated it on X, that they need extra months to finish the game with the level of polish you’ve come to expect and deserve, it wasn’t just PR talk. This is a studio that famously pushes for perfection before release. From Red Dead Redemption 2’s detailed animations to GTA V’s seamless city systems, Rockstar has always aimed for flawless execution.

GTA 6 is said to include the massive state of Leonida and will also be going back to the modern-day version of Vice City. Because of this, the overall size and scope of the game are probably much bigger than any other game the development studio has ever put out.

Open-world titles this large need a great deal of optimization work. It is not only necessary for how the game looks visually, but it is also required for many other complex systems. These systems include the behavior of AI characters, the functioning of traffic systems, the rendering of building interiors, the programming of mission scripts and more.

Also read: "I’m highly confident on the new date": Take-Two CEO positive about GTA 6 second delay

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2) GTA 6 Online might be launching alongside the main game

GTA 6 Online could also be one of the reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed (Image via Rockstar Games)

Another strong possibility is that Rockstar wants to release GTA 6 Online at the same time as the single-player campaign, which is something that wasn’t the case when GTA V launched. Back in 2013, the multiplayer mode arrived two weeks after launch, and even then, it suffered from severe server crashes and bugs.

Given how successful GTA Online became, Rockstar likely wants to avoid a repeat of that rocky start. By synchronizing both modes, the studio could ensure a smoother rollout. However, integrating a massive online infrastructure on day one takes extra time and testing, especially with the expected player load.

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3) The scope of GTA 6 might have expanded mid-development

Gameplay still from GTA VI (Image via Rockstar Games)

Another one of the reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed is scope expansion, which is something Rockstar has done before. When a game spends years in production, it’s natural for ideas, systems, or technologies to evolve mid-way. GTA 6 may have started as one vision and grown into something far bigger as new tools, hardware, and player expectations came into play.

Leaks and internal reports already hinted at dynamic weather, evolving crime systems, and AI-driven NPC routines that could make the game world feel truly alive. If Rockstar chose to refine or expand these mechanics, additional months would be needed for proper integration and testing.

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That wraps up everything on possible reasons why GTA 6 has been delayed again.

If this article is to your liking, you can check other GTA content below:

• Should the GTA 6 protagonists be anti-heroes?
• Which version of GTA 4 is the best in 2025?
• 5 best GTA Online DLCs ever released, ranked

Edited by Rishi Pallav