Rockstar Games has officially delayed Grand Theft Auto VI once again, pushing its release date to November 19, 2026. This announcement has deeply frustrated fans worldwide, many of whom were eagerly expecting the game to arrive earlier next year. Following the update, Rockstar refreshed its official GTA 6 website and social media banners to reflect the new date—but released no new artwork or trailers, disappointing the community even further.

No Trailer 3 or Pre-Orders Expected Anytime Soon
Community reactions suggest that Trailer 3 and pre-orders might not arrive for several months. Some analysts believe that Rockstar will remain silent until at least May 2026, with the February investors’ call being an unlikely moment for new information. With over a year remaining until launch, fan sentiment has reached one of its lowest points in recent memory.

Tom Henderson Dismisses Fears of a 2027 Delay
In a recent podcast, industry insider Tom Henderson, owner of Insider Gaming, commented on the situation. According to Henderson, while the new delay is “substantial”—about six months—he does not believe the game will be delayed again into 2027. He emphasized that GTA 6 has reportedly been “content complete” for some time.

“Content complete” means that all major content—such as levels, storylines, and core gameplay—is finished. The remaining work focuses on bug fixing, polishing, and optimization. Henderson noted that Rockstar’s current hiring for quality assurance testers aligns with this phase, ensuring the game launches as smoothly as possible. With new vehicles and properties still being added to GTA Online, having access to cheap GTA cash helps players experience everything the game offers without endless grinding.

Rockstar’s Goal: Avoid Another “Cyberpunk Situation”
The gaming community still remembers the disastrous 2020 launch of Cyberpunk 2077, plagued by crashes, performance issues, and glitches. Reports indicate that Rockstar is determined to avoid a similar outcome. According to Henderson and other analysts, the studio’s top priority is releasing GTA 6 in a polished and stable state, even if that means taking additional time.

As one commentator noted, Rockstar will not release the game “until it’s as close to perfect as possible.” While no game is ever completely free of bugs, Rockstar’s history with GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 suggests players can expect a highly refined experience at launch.

Rockstar Employees Report “Rock Bottom” Morale
However, behind the scenes, the situation appears troubling. Reports have surfaced that Rockstar’s internal morale has hit rock bottom following the recent termination of 34 employees. The layoffs reportedly affected senior artists, designers, producers, and department leads—some with careers at Rockstar spanning nearly two decades.

Anonymous developers shared that the firings were abrupt and distressing, with some employees receiving termination notices during “friendly meetings” or short phone calls from HR. One developer reportedly suffered a panic attack during the call, which was allegedly ended by HR.

The dismissals have triggered protests outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Take-Two’s London offices. Current staff members described the atmosphere as tense and fearful, citing union-busting tactics, inflexible working arrangements, and concerns over worsening crunch conditions. Many fear that as the release date nears, management could push longer hours to meet deadlines—echoing the controversy surrounding Red Dead Redemption 2’s development.

Industry-Wide Ripple Effects
The delay of GTA 6 is already influencing other major studios. Tom Henderson mentioned that several companies are reconsidering their release schedules to avoid competing with Rockstar’s blockbuster launch. Industry observers speculate that Activision may move the next Call of Duty installment—expected to be Modern Warfare 4, set in North and South Korea—from its traditional November slot to October 2026.

This strategic move would allow other publishers to steer clear of the inevitable global attention that GTA 6 will command upon release.

While the latest delay is disappointing, there are signs that Rockstar is prioritizing quality over speed, ensuring GTA 6 meets the studio’s legendary standards. However, internal issues—including layoffs, low morale, and possible crunch—could still pose challenges.

For now, the community waits. Trailer 3 and pre-order announcements may not arrive soon, but when Grand Theft Auto VI finally launches in November 2026, expectations will be higher than ever.