Fans of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise will have to wait even longer for the next chapter in the blockbuster video game series. Developer Rockstar Games announced on Wednesday that the release of “Grand Theft Auto VI” has been delayed once again, now slated for November 19, 2026.
The highly anticipated sequel, which was originally expected in late 2025 before being pushed to early 2026, has faced another setback as the studio aims to perfect the game. “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,” Rockstar Games said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Following the announcement, shares of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, fell by more than eight percent in after-hours trading, reflecting investor disappointment at the prolonged development timeline.
The delay comes amid internal turmoil at Rockstar’s Edinburgh, Scotland office, where dozens of protesters gathered earlier this week. Organized by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the demonstration accused the studio of “union busting” after the dismissal of 31 employees. Rockstar claimed the terminations were due to breaches of company policy, alleging the fired workers had “distributed and discussed confidential information in a public forum.” The union, however, denied this, insisting the discussions took place in a private union channel.
Despite these controversies, “GTA VI” remains one of the most anticipated entertainment releases of the decade. The franchise, known for pushing creative and moral boundaries since its debut in 1997, has earned both record-breaking profits and widespread criticism for its portrayal of violence, crime, and mature themes.
The upcoming game’s trailer, which premiered last year, revealed a return to Vice City, the franchise’s fictional take on Miami. It also introduced Lucia, the series’ first-ever female playable protagonist, marking a milestone for the franchise. The trailer, set to Tom Petty’s “Love Is a Long Road,” opens with Lucia being released from prison before teaming up with a male partner for a string of high-octane robberies. Fans quickly likened the duo to a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, interpreting the teaser as confirmation of the long-rumored outlaw couple storyline.
While anticipation for the game continues to build, so does scrutiny. Critics have long accused the GTA series of glorifying violence and crime, charges that Take-Two Interactive has consistently denied. The company maintains that the games are a form of artistic expression reflecting societal themes rather than promoting real-world behavior.
Even with its controversies, “Grand Theft Auto VI” is expected to be one of the largest entertainment launches in history, potentially rivaling major Hollywood films in both production scale and revenue. For now, fans will have to wait until late 2026 to return to Vice City — a delay that Rockstar promises will be worth the wait.
