‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ release delayed again until November 2026

AFP/APP

Sanfrancisco: The long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI, the latest installment in the blockbuster video game franchise, has been delayed once again — this time until November 2026 — its developer Rockstar Games announced on Wednesday.

“We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realise 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,” Rockstar said in a post on X.

The game was initially expected in late 2025, then moved to early 2026. Rockstar confirmed it will now launch on November 19, 2026.

Shares of Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, dropped more than 8 percent in after-hours trading following the announcement.
https://x.com/RockstarGames/status/1986540361011880167
The delay came the same day dozens of protesters gathered outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh office, accusing the company of “blatant union busting” after the dismissal of 31 employees.

Rockstar said the workers were fired for “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum,” calling it a violation of company policy. However, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which organized the protest, disputed the claim, saying the sacked employees were simply members of a private union-linked chat group.

Rockstar did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

Set to be one of the biggest entertainment releases in history, Grand Theft Auto VI will return players to the franchise’s fictional Vice City, inspired by Miami, and feature a female protagonist for the first time.

A trailer released earlier showed a character named Lucia being released from prison before joining her male partner in a series of heists, prompting comparisons to the infamous crime duo Bonnie and Clyde.

The GTA series — known for its massive sales and cultural impact — has also faced controversy over its depictions of violence, crime, and sexuality. Critics have long accused it of glorifying criminal behaviour, claims consistently rejected by Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

First launched in 1997, Grand Theft Auto has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful and controversial video game franchises ever created.