Fans of the hugely popular Grand Theft Auto game series will have to wait a little while longer before they can enjoy the latest version.
On Friday, Rockstar Games announced on Platform X that Grand Theft Auto VI has been pushed back to May 26, 2026.
The company apologized for the delay, which had been rumored for several years, but provided no details to explain why the release date had been pushed back from the fall of this year.
“With every game we make, we aim to exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI will be no exception,” the company said. “We hope you understand that we need this extra time to ensure we deliver the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
Shares of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, fell nearly 7% on Friday.
Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software, backed Rockstar in a statement and said he supports the company's decision to take more time to realize its creative vision.
He added that the company still expects to deliver “innovative and immersive entertainment experiences that exceed audience expectations.”
“We take the promotion of our games seriously and appreciate the enormous and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, but we remain committed to excellence,” Mr. Zelnick said in a statement. “By continuing to release our outstanding content, we hope to drive long-term growth for our business and create greater value for our shareholders.”
Fan reaction to the delay has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment but also understanding, as the game was originally planned for 2024 and then this year.
On the game's Reddit forum, some fans noted that they had already encountered something similar and would not be surprised if the release was delayed again.
Others are more optimistic, claiming that the firm release date means that the game will actually happen this time around.
The game last generated much interest in 2023, when a trailer leaked online.
Then Rockstar published the first version of the sixth part 15 hours earlier than planned, citing a leak.
The 90-second trailer gave fans a taste of what's to come. The trailer hinted that the next installment would be set in a Miami-inspired Vice City and would feature a female protagonist, a first for the franchise, named Lucia.
It's unclear whether the delay means any or all of these details will remain part of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
