Rockstar is apparently considering delaying GTA 6 to 2026 due to its return-to-office policy.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to arrive in 2025. It's the year that Rockstar Games confirmed in the game's initial reveal trailer from last December.
But since then, there's been several reports that 2025 might not be achievable. The most recent, in particular, claims that Rockstar is open to delaying GTA 6 to 2026 in an "emergency" situation.
According to Kotaku, Rockstar is internally deliberating a delay for GTA 6 as a result of its recent return-to-office mandate and the implications for staff members that work remotely.
Rockstar instituted a return-to-office policy in February. At the time, many took it as a sign that GTA 6 is in the final stages of development and Rockstar was leaving nothing to chance.
Working remotely puts GTA 6 at a higher risk of security breaches. For at least two years now, Rockstar has dealt with a massive security breach that resulted in early gameplay footage of GTA 6 finding its way on the internet and the release of the game's trailer ahead of time. It's understandable then why Rockstar is playing cautious ahead of the game's release.
However, as has been pointed out by many commentators, Kotaku's report is an attempt to "stir the pot" based on the earlier report by Bloomberg about Rockstar's return-to-office policy.
If you read the earlier report by Jason Schreier, Rockstar explained the rationale behind the new policy, saying that it helps put the studio "in the best position to deliver the next Grand Theft Auto at the level of quality and polish we know it requires."
Curiously enough, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick made a similar statement in the company's latest earnings report, saying that it's currently seeking "perfection.".
Crunch, a period of intense work pressure to meet tight deadlines, is a controversial but prevalent topic in gaming. It has resulted in many developers experiencing burnout and stress over the years, but the industry has started cracking down on it.
Rockstar, in particular, has reportedly improved its work culture following the departure of several studio heads as work on GTA 6 picked up steam following its official confirmation two years ago. Thus, a delayed release, especially decided well in advance, could potentially mitigate the need for crunch, offering a more humane schedule for the team behind GTA 6.
Moreover, the history of Grand Theft Auto releases suggests that Rockstar's priority is in delivering a polished and comprehensive gaming experience over rushing to meet their initial release dates. GTA 5's financial and critical success, which continues to generate revenue years after its release, demonstrates the franchise's enduring appeal and the financial viability of investing additional time and resources into the development of any GTA game.
The prospect of an open-world Vice City, reimagined with today's technology, excites fans and industry observers alike. But the ambition of such a project undoubtedly requires a careful balance of innovation, quality, and employee well-being.
But if the report is true and GTA 6 is delayed, most wouldn't mind. In between the latest content update for GTA Online and the ongoing weekly updates, there's plenty to keep everyone busy for a while.
Besides, a two-year gap is long enough for Take-Two and Rockstar to consider releasing that long-rumored remaster of Grand Theft Auto 4 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X. As a bonus, more PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X (and possibly PS5 Pro) will have been sold by then, further increasing the chances that GTA 6 will sell more and less time than Grand Theft Auto 5.
For now, this is all speculation. Thankfully, the current fiscal year is coming to an end soon, which means Take-Two next earnings report in May is just a stone's throw away. Fingers crossed, we'll hear more about GTA 6 by then.
