Grand Theft Auto 6: The Launch That Never Was Today

Grand Theft Auto 6 was supposed to launch today (May 26) before it was delayed to November.

- READ MORE: The best games to play while you wait for ‘Grand Theft Auto 6’

Game developers Rockstar originally planned for Grand Theft Auto 6 to launch towards the end of 2025 but last May, they confirmed the sequel to 2013’s Grand Theft Auto 5 would be released May 26, 2026 .

“The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team,” Rockstar said in a statement. “With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and GTA 6 is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.” A few months later, Grand Theft Auto 6 ’s release date was pushed back to November 19, 2026 .

Last week, publishers Take-Two Interactive confirmed the game was still on track to launch in November following a viral 4chan delay rumour.

However Grand Theft Auto 6 ’s most recent trailer, which is pinned to the top of Rockstar’s social media pages, is still advertising the May release date. In a viral post on the GTA6 Reddit, one user explained how their partner had surprised them with the money yesterday (May 25) to buy the game on launch day. “I had to explain to her that it doesn’t come out until November. Just goes to show most casuals don’t even keep up to date and wouldn’t have a clue [about the delay],” they added.

Other fans have been marking the original release day by reflecting on what could have been. “We could have been playing for hours already,” wrote one X user. “This one hurts. Seeing the date hit like this still stings. Rockstar has us in full Stockholm syndrome at this point,” said another. “We’ve been waiting so long it doesn’t even feel real anymore,” wrote a third fan.

> to think i would've been able to start playing an hour ago https://t.co/b7A2hNBbHv — Ethan (@grimesclarkluvr) May 25, 2026

“In another dimension they shadow drop this game at midnight. Never would happen in a million years but would be insane,” wrote one optimistic user.

It’s been reported that Grand Theft Auto 6 will become the most-expensive video game ever made when it finally launches. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has also predicted that people will bunk off work to play the title on release day.

In other news, Saros ’ intense soundtrack from  Grammy -winning composer Sam Slater is now available to stream .

The post ‘Grand Theft Auto 6’ was supposed to launch today appeared first on NME .

_Originally reported by [NME](https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/grand-theft-auto-6-original-launch-today-release-date-delay-3947432?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grand-theft-auto-6-original-launch-today-release-date-delay)._