After whetting our appetites with the release of the first GTA 6 trailer back in December 2023, developer Rockstar Games has been busy putting the finishing touches on a game that is shaping up to be the biggest ever. With fans counting down to the release of the next GTA 6 trailer, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two has provided us with some new information about the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. After posting its financial records for the latest quarter, Take-Two narrowed down the GTA 6 release date, telling fans that the game would be available for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in autumn 2025. While this is disappointing news to fans who were hoping for an earlier release (myself included!), Rockstar Games had previously announced a 2025 launch, but hadn’t actually specified a date, so it can’t be considered a delay. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick also said that he is highly confident Rockstar Games will hit the autumn release window, although we’re not so sure.
After whetting our appetites with the release of the first GTA 6 trailer back in December 2023, developer Rockstar Games has been busy putting the finishing touches on a game that is shaping up to be the biggest ever. With fans counting down to the release of the next GTA 6 trailer, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two has provided us with some new information about the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. After posting its financial records for the latest quarter, Take-Two narrowed down the GTA 6 release date, telling fans that the game would be available for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in autumn 2025. While this is disappointing news to fans who were hoping for an earlier release (myself included!), Rockstar Games had previously announced a 2025 launch, but hadn’t actually specified a date, so it can’t be considered a delay. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick also said that he is highly confident Rockstar Games will hit the autumn release window, although we’re not so sure.
Indeed, in comments made to CNBC (which echo statements made earlier this year), Zelnick said that Rockstar Games seeks perfection whenever it releases a new game.
“There are elements that you can actually measure,” Zelnick told CNBC. “For example the number of bugs in a title, and every one of us will make sure that we have as few bugs as possible before we launch.
“However, in the case of an extraordinary title, for which there are extraordinary expectations, it’s not really about bugs, it’s about creating an experience that no one’s seen before, and Rockstar Games seeks perfection in what they do. Perfection is indeed hard to measure, it really is more subjective than objective.”
If Rockstar Games really is seeking perfection, then a Grand Theft Auto 6 delay wouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
As Zelnick alludes to in his interview, a game as ambitious as GTA 6 will need a lot of bug testing and fixing to get it ready for launch.
Not only does this take time, but Rockstar will be keen to avoid the kind of reputational damage suffered by studios like CD Projekt with Cyberpunk 2077, which was in no fit state to launch, despite numerous delays.
While I’m crossing my fingers and toes for an autumn 2025 release, I’m just not convinced it will happen, especially with Rockstar’s previous track record of high-profile delays.
Working conditions are also under the spotlight more than ever before, which means Rockstar Games probably can’t rely on the majority of staff members working seven days a week during extended “crunch” periods in the run up to launch.
What we do know for sure is that Grand Theft Auto 6 takes place in the state of Leonida, which is based on Florida.
Rockstar continues: “Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.”
The trailer (above) gives fans a look some of the map locations as seen from the skies above. This includes locations based on the Florida Keys, as well as the beach and more.
Hopefully we’ll get a better look at the locations, as well as some gameplay in the next GTA 6 trailer, which is expected to drop this summer.