Production hiccups and staff concerns might push launch to 2026

Rockstar Games, the powerhouse behind the Grand Theft Auto series, is facing a potential delay in the launch of its much-awaited sequel, GTA 6. Initially targeted for a 2025 release, internal sources reveal concerns that the game could slip into 2026. This comes as Rockstar mandates a return-to-office policy, sparking frustration among staff accustomed to remote work.

Set in the fictional Vice City, mirroring Miami, Florida, GTA 6 aims to be a groundbreaking addition to the open-world franchise. Despite setting an “early 2025” internal goal, the transition back to office work and the subsequent production challenges have stirred anxiety about meeting the timeline.

February reports indicated Rockstar’s insistence on a five-day office work week starting April, a move met with surprise and discontent among employees. Cited reasons for this mandate include security and quality assurance. However, insiders suggest that falling behind in GTA 6’s development timeline is a significant driver of this decision. The push for an office return is seen as a strategy to mitigate delays, with a late 2025 or even 2026 release now considered a contingency.

Rockstar’s history of last-minute changes keeps the possibility of schedule adjustments open. Yet, concerns about returning to a crunch culture, prevalent in previous projects, loom large among the staff. The return to office mandate could jeopardize the progress made in fostering a healthier work environment, with employees fearing an uptick in development crunch as the project nears completion.

While Rockstar aims for a Spring 2025 launch, the exact timeline remains uncertain, with a Fall 2025 or 2026 release becoming increasingly likely. Regardless of the internal release goal, the mandate for office work underscores a critical phase in GTA 6’s development, marking a challenging period for staff and management alike.