GTA 6 Is Scheduled For 2025, But Rockstar Has A History Of Delays

Rockstar has finally revealed and begun to discuss its next big game--Grand Theft Auto VI--including confirming a 2025 release date. How likely is the game to make it out on time? We don't know for sure, but if history is any indication, fans might want to brace themselves for a delay.

The majority of Rockstar's biggest games over the past decade-plus have all been delayed beyond their originally announced release windows, including Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto V, and Red Dead Redemption II. This doesn't guarantee that Rockstar will delay Grand Theft Auto VI, but it does demonstrate that Take-Two and Rockstar are willing to delay their biggest games presumably in a bid to improve quality.

Rockstar parent company Take-Two has signaled in its earnings projections that GTA VI is (obviously) expected to be a huge money-maker and the company has issued guidance that reflects that. Take-Two no doubt wants to have the game ship on time to appease investors and meet its financial projections. But the company has a history of delaying games, GTA and otherwise, even if it means tough financial news for the company in the near-term.

Here is a quick rundown of all the big Rockstar titles and their delays prior to launch. Also of note, GTA VI is confirmed for release in 2025 across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. There has been no mention of PC, so people looking to buy the game on that platform may have to wait the longest. What's more, this list is not comprehensive of every Rockstar game in recent times, just the biggest ones. Some of Rockstar's games have released on schedule.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV, which was originally set to launch in October 2007, was delayed to April 2008. Take-Two said at the time that "certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected." The company went on to say it was disappointed to have to reduce financial guidance by more than $200 million as a result of the delay.

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars And GTA 4 DLC

Rockstar's GTA game for Nintendo DS, GTA: Chinatown Wars, was originally expected to release before the end of January 2009, but the game was pushed to April 2009. Rockstar also confirmed that GTA IV's first DLC pack, The Lost and Damned, was delayed as well.

Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar's open-world western, Red Dead Redemption, was originally set to launch at the end of April 2010 before Take-Two pushed the game to May of that year. Take-Two said the delay gave the game a better release window and would allow Take-Two more time to market the game.

Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar was originally planning to launch Grand Theft Auto V in Spring 2013, but the company delayed the game to September of that year. The company said the four-month delay would give the team more time to polish and refine the game. GTA V would go on to sell 190 million copies and become one of the best-selling games of all time.

Red Dead Redemption II

Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption II was supposed to be one of 2017's biggest releases until Rockstar and Take-Two delayed the game to Spring 2018 and then again to Fall 2018. Take-Two said the delays came down to Rockstar needing more time to make the "most extraordinary" game possible.

Grand Theft Auto V Next-Gen

Grand Theft Auto V's PS5 and Xbox Series X|S editions were supposed to launch in November 2021 before Rockstar delayed them to March 2022. Rockstar said the game needed "a few additional months for polishing and fine-tuning."