Fans of Grand Theft Auto were left crushed yesterday after preorders for the upcoming GTA VI failed to launch.
Leaked correspondence from US retailer Best Buy suggested the incoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S game would become available on May 18. Screenshots widely shared on forums and social media purportedly showed a message sent from Best Buy to its affiliate partners indicating that advance orders would begin on Monday May 18. It outlined a promotional discount offer that would run until May 21, 2026. But 24 hours after the predicted launch of preorders, nothing has materialised.
Preorders allow passionate fans to secure a copy of the game, which can be collected in-store or delivered on its release date. It's possible physical copies of Grand Theft Auto VI — pronounced Grand Theft Auto 6 — will sell out ahead of launch, especially if developer Rockstar Games releases limited edition versions or other collectors' items.
Rockstar parent Take-Two Interactive has previously confirmed that "launch marketing" for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin this summer, and while May might be a bit of a push to call "summer"... it's not too far wide of the mark.
With the Grand Theft Auto VI release date scheduled for November 19, 2026, it wouldn't be all that surprising to see preorders begin soon. But neither Rockstar Games nor parent company Take-Two Interactive has commented on speculation surrounding preorders.
from GTA6
Fans continue tracking every possible hint about the upcoming Grand Theft Auto game online, with only limited official information from Rockstar Games since development was confirmed back in early 2022. Take-Two chief executive Strauss Zelnick has moved to reassure fans that the game remains on track for its scheduled launch date of 19th November 2026.
Speaking during an interview with David Senra, Mr Zelnick insisted the timeline is now firmly set and the title is progressing as planned for late 2026. The 68-year-old executive acknowledged that development has taken longer than initially anticipated. He revealed the project is roughly 18 months behind where it was originally supposed to be.
Little is known about the plot of Grand Theft Auto VI, but the trailers hints at a Bonnie and Clyde-like story that follows the first female protagonist in the GTA franchise since 2000, known as Lucia and her partner as they rampage across the fictional US state of Leonida
| ROCKSTAR GAMES PRESS OFFICE | GBNThe delay reflects Rockstar Games' ambitious scope for the open-world crime caper, which far exceeded what was initially planned, according to Mr Zelnick. When asked about Grand Theft Auto's commercial success, he described it as what "most people believe" to be "the most valuable entertainment IP ever created." He declined to share specific revenue figures for the previous entry, Grand Theft Auto V, simply noting "it's a lot."
The timing of Take-Two's quarterly earnings call on Thursday has fuelled fresh speculation that major announcements could be imminent. The publisher's portfolio of studios, including Rockstar Games, has a history of making significant reveals around these investor presentations to drive interest in the company. Fans are hoping Rockstar will finally unveil a third trailer for the game, particularly as the studio hasn't released major gameplay footage in over a year.
The second trailer debuted on 6th May 2025, accumulating more than 160 million views on YouTube. Many believe a new trailer could arrive alongside official pre-order information, given the promotional window suggested in the leaked Best Buy correspondence coincides with Thursday's earnings call.
The earnings presentation is scheduled for 9:30pm UK time on May 21, 2026.
With rumours of a budget that ballooned to $1 billion (£733 million, converted) and over a decade in development, speculation that Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive will attempt to recuperate costs with a £100 price tag has reached fever-pitch.
Addressing speculation about the price tag of the next Grand Theft Auto, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick spoke at the video game conference IICON (Interactive Innovation Conference) earlier this month, stating: "Consumers pay for the value that you bring to them, and our job is to charge way, way, way less of the value delivery."
How you feel about something you buy is the intersection of the thing itself and what you pay for. Consumers need to feel like the thing itself is amazing and the price they were charged was fair for what they got."
The 68-year-old executive added that, taking into account inflation rates, the price of video games has actually become cheaper, with most releases sold between $60–$70 or £50–£60 for most of the last decade.
According to IGN, which was in the audience at IICON, Mr Zelnick said: "If you look at it through that lens, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But that isn't the lens through which we look. Instead, we look at… how do we deliver something amazing, and how do we make sure that what people pay for it feels very reasonable."
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Highlighting the fact that games haven't significantly increased in price over the last decade, which is around the time of the launch of Grand Theft Auto V, could be a good way to lay the groundwork for a price hike.
And with dozens of hours of story content baked into the game, not to mention a never-ending online component to the gameplay, Mr Zelnick could justifiably increase the sticker price and still meet this threshold of charging "way, way, way less of the value delivery".
When it comes to evaluating the success of the long-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, Mr Zelnick said he would be focused on players' experiences, rather than financial performance.
"What we think about is making the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth, in history — and it's a pretty daunting challenge," Mr Zelnick added. "If we do that, and if we're of service to our customers, then the upside will take care of itself."
The executive later joked that "a lot of people will be calling in sick" when the hotly anticipated PS5 and Xbox Series X|S title finally releases in November 2026. Aside from measuring the quality of the final game, it's likely that Grand Theft Auto VI will bring in a vast amount of money for Take-Two Interactive.
GTA 6, stylised as Grand Theft Auto VI, returns the action to the fictional city of Vice City, which is Rockstar Games' satirical version of Miami that featured in the 2002 GTA release of the same name
| ROCKSTAR GAMESInvestment firm Konvoy has projected GTA VI will recoup its estimated £1.5 billion development costs within just 30 days of launch. Not only that, within 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 are 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.
Konvoy predicts Grand Theft Auto VI will offer enhanced online gameplay with lobbies accommodating up to 200 players, featuring "higher risk/reward dynamics where you can raid and steal items from players more easily."
Whether it costs £60, £80, or closer to £100 ...you'll have plenty of time to save, since Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed until November 19, 2026.