Grand Theft Auto VI release delayed

Grand Theft Auto VI, the most hotly anticipated title in gaming history, has been delayed.

Take-Two Interactive pushed the release of the blockbuster title to May 2026 on Friday.

The video game was previously expected to be released in autumn this year and is expected to be an instant hit with billions in sales every year, according to analysts.

Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, is one of the best-selling video games of all time, selling more than 200 million copies since its release in 2013.

"With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception," said developer Rockstar Games in a statement posted on social media.

"We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

After the announcement, publisher Take-Two's share prices tumbled by 9%.

"We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking blockbuster entertainment experience," said Take-Two chief executive Strauss Zelnick.

Rockstar Games first unveiled the trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI in December 2023, set to Tom Petty's Love Is a Long Road.

The video was watched more than 100 million times in 24 hours.

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It confirmed the game's return to Vice City and introduced the game's first female lead, Lucia, hinting at a modern-day Bonnie-and-Clyde duo.

GTA VI was expected to drive growth in the video game industry this year after a troubling period.

Rising production costs and growing expectations around games mean many titles have been delayed, causing financial problems for studios and frustration for players.

During the pandemic, when millions more people began playing video games, studio sizes swelled.

Once the lockdowns ended, however, demand dropped and the industry now faces an employment crisis with redundancies at studios around Britain and the world.