As the anticipated pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 fail to materialize, the head of Rockstar Games' parent company Take-Two has revealed when the game was originally supposed to launch. Gamers hoping for a May 2026 release have been disappointed, and now it appears that the project is significantly behind schedule.
Original Release Date Revealed
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, disclosed in an interview that GTA 6 is approximately 18 months behind its original plan. If everything had gone smoothly, the game would have launched around May 19, 2025—meaning it would be celebrating its first anniversary today. Instead, fans are still waiting for concrete pre-order details and a third trailer.
Zelnick explained that the initial target was not a specific date but a general timeframe in May 2025. After delays, the release was pushed to autumn 2025, then to May 2026, and finally to the current target of November 19, 2026. However, given Rockstar's history of multiple delays, skepticism remains high.
Pre-Order Confusion
Recent confusion arose when Best Buy sent emails suggesting pre-orders were imminent. However, insiders indicate that the retailer acted prematurely, and Rockstar was caught off guard. Verified sources on GTA forums suggest that the company is still finalizing plans, with late summer now considered the earliest possible window for pre-orders and Trailer 3.
Fans have grown accustomed to setbacks, but Zelnick's comments highlight the scale of the project. He noted that being 18 months behind on a game of this magnitude is not unusual, emphasizing the complexity of development.
Budget Estimates Soar
Beyond the release date, the cost of GTA 6 remains a hot topic. Rumors persist that the standard edition could cost up to £100, though Zelnick has neither confirmed nor denied this. The game's budget is equally mysterious, with estimates ranging from $1 billion to $3 billion—far exceeding any film production. Zelnick declined to provide a specific figure, but analysts suggest the longer development time is driving costs higher.
Rockstar has not commented on the budget, and industry experts note that game budgets are rarely disclosed publicly. The final number may never be known, but the financial stakes are enormous for Take-Two.
Looking Ahead
With no official pre-order date in sight, the community waits anxiously for any official word. Zelnick remains confident in the November 2026 window, but past experience suggests further delays are possible. For now, fans can only speculate and hope that the next update brings clarity.
