With GTA 6 set to be one of the biggest game releases of all time, developers across the industry are holding their breath. The lack of a confirmed launch date has left studios in limbo, unsure when to release their own titles to avoid being completely overshadowed. But what if GTA 6 doesn’t arrive this year at all? Some industry experts believe a delay could have catastrophic consequences for smaller studios.
Studios forced to gamble
As things stand, Rockstar has GTA 6 slated for a fall 2025 launch on consoles, with no word yet on a PC release. But given the scale of the game, many believe a delay into 2026 is inevitable. That uncertainty has put other developers in a tough spot.
“If you’re a game company who’s holding its breath waiting for GTA 6 to get out, and then it gets delayed by three, four, five, six months, what do you do?” said Ben Porter, Director of Consulting at Newzoo, in an interview with PC Gamer at GDC 2025.
This kind of delay could be devastating for developers planning releases around GTA 6. If studios miscalculate and launch their games too close to GTA 6, they risk being completely eclipsed. But waiting too long could mean missing out on a key window for sales.
The weight of a juggernaut
History shows just how dominant a GTA launch can be. Back in 2013, GTA 5 accounted for 50% of all US game revenue in its launch month, despite only releasing halfway through. In the UK, it made up a staggering 89% of all games sold during its first week, bringing in 94% of total revenue.
With GTA 6 being the first new entry in the franchise in 12 years, its impact could be even bigger. Understandably, most studios are steering clear of its release window. Even Take-Two‘s own Borderlands 4, set for release this year, could see a shift if Rockstar decides to move GTA 6 to ensure maximum impact.
A market boost or a crushing blow?
Despite the concerns, some believe GTA 6 could be a much-needed shot in the arm for the gaming industry. After a string of high-profile delays in recent years: Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, to name a few many expect Rockstar’s next title to reignite interest in big-budget releases.
“You do hear a lot of people who are saying that GTA 6 is going to rejuvenate the market. And I think that there’s an element of truth to that, but I don’t know that it’s necessarily going to be universally uplifting,” says Porter.
For now, the industry waits. Whether GTA 6 arrives in 2025 or slips into 2026, one thing is certain: when it does land, the impact will be enormous.
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