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The latest installment in the highly popular “Grand Theft Auto” video game series has been postponed once again, now set for release in November 2026, its developers announced on Wednesday.
“We apologize for the additional delay, understanding it’s been a lengthy wait. These extra months will enable us to finish the game with the high quality and attention to detail you expect and deserve,” Rockstar Games stated on their X (formerly Twitter) account.
Initially scheduled for late 2025, then pushed to early 2026, the game’s new release date is November 19, next year. Following the announcement, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, saw its stock drop over 8% in after-hours trading.
The delay announcement coincided with protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh, Scotland office, where dozens of people demonstrated, accusing the studio of “blatant union busting” after 31 employees were laid off. Rockstar has accused these employees of “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum,” violating company policies. However, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which organized the protest, disputed these claims, stating that the dismissed employees had been members of a private union-related discussion group.
Rockstar did not immediately comment on an AFP inquiry.
“GTA VI” is poised to be one of the largest entertainment launches in history. Known for its controversial content, the franchise has let players assume the roles of criminals engaged in various illicit activities within expansive virtual cities since it debuted in 1997.
The upcoming game was initially slated for release later this year, with a trailer revealing a setting reminiscent of Miami’s Vice City and featuring a female protagonist for the first time. The trailer, set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is A Long Road,” shows Lucia, a woman released from prison, in what appears to be a fictional Florida setting. Towards the end of the clip, she tells her partner: “The only way we are going to get through this is by sticking together, being a team.” The scene continues with the pair storming into a store, guns drawn, faces covered with bandanas, fueling rumors about a “Bonnie and Clyde” style crime duo.
Despite its popularity, the series has regularly faced criticism for promoting violence and crime. Critics have long argued that GTA glamorizes criminal behavior and encourages players to engage in drug dealing, fighting, robbery, car rampages, and other illicit activities. Some gameplay elements include assaulting sex workers and visiting strip clubs, which have drawn the ire of activists.
The logo for “Grand Theft Auto VI” can be seen in this image, November 7, 2025. — X/@RockstarGames
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