Grand Theft Auto VI release delayed AGAIN as Rockstar Games says 'we're sorry' for November 19 date

Often simply referred to as GTA 6, the open-world crime caper is one of the most anticipated video games of all time. The incoming entry will see longtime fans of the series return to the Miami-inspired location of Vice City — a spoof metropolis that debuted in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on PlayStation 2 back in October 27, 2002 — and the fictionalised US state of Leonida that surrounds it.

Rockstar Games releases second trailer for GTA VI 

Grand Theft Auto VI will include its first female protagonist, Lucia. Rockstar Games has released two trailers for the game, but specific details about the plot are still scarce. In the caption for the second trailer for its epic new crime-caper, Rockstar Games shared a brief summary of the plotline for Grand Theft Auto VI. It reads: "Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive."

Grand Theft Auto VI is widely-expected to be the biggest-selling game of all time when it arrives in late 2026.

Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, which first made its debut in 2013, has now sold more than 200 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. That title still holds the crown for the best opening week of sales in video game history — raking in $1.15bn (£1.2bn) in five days.

However, it's worth noting that Grand Theft Auto V has now appeared on three console generations, starting with the Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 back in September 2013.

In the post on X, Rockstar Games added: “We want to thank you again for your patience and support. While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern-day Vice City."

Rumours and speculation about the next instalment in the series have circulated online for over a decade, leaving fans hoping the game might be launched in 2024. The first official confirmation of a new mainline title in the Grand Theft Auto series arrived in December 2023, when PlayStation and Xbox owners were told to expect the next instalment to be released in 2025.

In May this year, that release date changed. Rockstar Games told fans that it would have to push back the launch until early 2026 because of the scope and scale of the title. At the time, the brand said the extra time was needed "to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

Whenever the next Grand Theft Auto does launch, it's tipped to bring in $7.6bn (£5.7 billion, converted) in a matter of weeks. That eye-popping figure comes courtesy of investment firm Konvoy, which projects the feverishly anticipated title will recoup its estimated £1.5 billion development costs within just 30 days of launch.

Rockstar Games has been working on the next entry into its record-busting Grand Theft Auto series for almost a decade, with pre-production estimated to have started as early as 2016 before the developer stated work "in earnest" back in 2020.

In the first two months, the gaming investment firm estimates that revenue will top $7.6bn (£5.7bn).

To achieve that record-breaking figure, Konvoy estimates that 85 million players will purchase the game at roughly £60 per copy in the first 60-day window. Rockstar Games has confirmed the Grand Theft Auto VI release date, but not the final cost of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S exclusive, which some estimate could be increased to £80 — much higher than a standard video game. If those whispers are accurate, revenue could be even higher for Rockstar Games.

Konvoy Managing Partner, Josh Chapman stated: "This will be the greatest video game release of all time; shattering player, viewership, and revenue records."

The analysis suggests this will establish the title as the most successful gaming launch in history, with revenue streams extending beyond initial sales. Online multiplayer and its GTA+ subscriptions is expected to surge in the wake of the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, bringing in a projected £510 million within the first 60 days, Konvoy estimates. The investment firm's calculations factor in these additional revenue sources when reaching the ambitious £5.7bn forecast.

Take-Two Interactive is the parent company of Rockstar Games. To put the latest forecasts into perspective, the last entry into this record-breaking video game series, Grand Theft Auto V, achieved a whopping £750 million in sales within three days and has shifted over 215 million copies to date.

Additional Reporting By Helen William, PA