If you’ve spent any time on gaming forums, TikTok, or Twitter over the past decade, you’ve definitely seen dozens of conflicting rumors about when was GTA 6 supposed to be released. It’s been over 11 years since Grand Theft Auto 5 launched, and it’s still one of the best-selling games of all time, so it’s no surprise fans are desperate for any crumb of news about its sequel. Rockstar has a well-earned reputation for being tight-lipped about upcoming projects, which has only fueled the spread of unconfirmed leaks, fake launch dates, and wild speculation over the years. This guide breaks down the original expected release timelines, why those plans shifted, what we know about the current launch window, and how to avoid falling for fake news.
When Was GTA 6 Supposed to Be Released Initially?
Back in the late 2010s, right after Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018, fans and industry insiders started connecting dots to guess GTA 6’s launch date. Rockstar typically releases mainline Grand Theft Auto entries every 5 to 7 years, so simple math based on GTA 5’s 2013 launch made a 2020 or 2021 release seem plausible to many fans. If you asked gaming fans in 2021 when was GTA 6 supposed to be released, most would have told you 2023 at the latest.
Early internal timelines from Rockstar reportedly targeted a 2023 launch window for the game, before unforeseen delays hit. Reputable industry insiders with a track record of accurate Rockstar leaks first shared these 2023 target reports in 2021, and many fans marked their calendars accordingly. Rockstar did not confirm this timeline publicly at the time, which is standard for the studio, as it only shares release dates once a game is far enough in development to guarantee the window will hold.
These initial 2023 rumors picked up more steam when Sony and Microsoft launched their next-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S) in late 2020. Many fans assumed Rockstar would time GTA 6’s release to align with the mid-point of the console generation, when most players would have upgraded from older hardware. That plan never came to fruition, though, as a series of setbacks pushed the timeline further and further back.
Why Did the Original GTA 6 Release Timeline Get Pushed Back?
There is no single reason for GTA 6’s delays, and the studio has only shared vague statements about taking the time needed to make the game perfect. Based on official statements and verified insider reports, these are the main factors that pushed the original 2023 launch window back:
- Post-pandemic development bottlenecks: Like most game studios, Rockstar shifted to fully remote work in 2020, which slowed down collaborative work on large open-world assets, motion capture shoots, and cross-team bug testing. The studio only returned to partial in-office work in 2022, leading to months of backlogged work.
- The 2022 GTA 6 leak incident: Over 90 clips of unfinished gameplay, character models, and story details leaked online in one of the biggest video game leaks in history. Rockstar paused development temporarily to tighten internal security, assess what content had been spoiled, and adjust plans for early promotional material.
- Commitment to polish and player experience: Rockstar has repeatedly stated it will only release the game when it meets its extremely high quality standards. The team pushed back timelines to fix game-breaking bugs, refine open-world mechanics, and add small quality-of-life features requested by fans in community feedback surveys.
- Expanded multiplayer feature development: The team is building a completely new GTA Online successor from scratch for GTA 6, with plans for regular content updates, cross-platform play, and more customization options than ever before. This added scope increased development time significantly compared to initial projections.
None of these delays are unusual for major AAA titles, especially games as large and complex as GTA 6. I’ve seen way too many highly anticipated games flop because they were pushed out too early to meet arbitrary shareholder deadlines, so most fans I’ve talked to are okay with waiting a little longer for a polished, bug-free launch. It’s still frustrating to wait, but the end result will almost certainly be better for it.
What Is the Current Official GTA 6 Release Window?
Rockstar finally shared its first official update on GTA 6’s release timeline in December 2023, when it dropped the first 90-second trailer for the game. The trailer confirmed that GTA 6 will launch in 2025, exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release coming at a later, unannounced date. No specific month or exact date was shared in the trailer, and the studio has not given any further updates on the timeline since then.
As of the latest updates, Rockstar has not shared any plans to move the 2025 launch window forward, so all rumors of a late 2024 release are completely unsubstantiated. Some insiders have speculated that the game will launch in fall 2025, as that is the most common release window for major Rockstar titles, but this has not been confirmed by the studio.
Pre-orders for GTA 6 have not opened yet, and the studio has not shared any details about pre-order bonuses or special editions. Never share payment information with third-party sites claiming to offer early GTA 6 pre-orders or access, as these are almost always fraudulent. Rockstar will announce pre-order details directly on its official channels months before the game’s launch, so you won’t miss out if you wait for official confirmation.
How to Stay Updated on Official GTA 6 Release News
With so many fake leaks and rumors spreading online every day, it can be hard to tell what’s real and what’s made up. These simple tips will help you stay informed without falling for misinformation:
First, follow Rockstar’s official social media accounts on Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube. The studio posts all official announcements, trailers, and release date updates on these channels first, so you’ll get the news straight from the source as soon as it’s shared. You can also sign up for the official Rockstar Newswire newsletter to get updates sent directly to your email inbox.
The only 100% reliable source for GTA 6 release date news is Rockstar itself, so you should always take unconfirmed reports from insiders or leakers with a grain of salt. Some insiders have a great track record of accurate reports, but even they get information wrong sometimes, and plans can change at the last minute. Don’t book time off work or pre-order a new console based on unconfirmed rumors.
You can expect a second full-length GTA 6 trailer around 6 to 8 months before the game’s official launch. This trailer will almost certainly include the exact release date, extended gameplay footage, and details about pre-order bonuses and special editions. If you don’t follow gaming news regularly, that second trailer will be impossible to miss, as it will be shared across every major social media platform and news site.
All the conflicting rumors over the years make it easy to forget when was GTA 6 supposed to be released initially, but it’s important to remember that development timelines for games this big almost always shift. The initial 2023 internal target was never announced publicly, so fans never got a formal promise of an earlier launch. At the end of the day, the extra development time will likely lead to a better game that lives up to the high expectations set by GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. As long as you stick to official sources for news, you won’t fall for fake launch rumors or scams in the lead-up to GTA 6’s release. Until we get an official exact release date, you can replay GTA 5, try out new mods, or catch up on Rockstar’s older titles to pass the time.
