If you're a long-time Grand Theft Auto fan, you've probably spent more time than you'd admit refreshing news pages and social media for GTA 6 updates. No game in recent memory has had a longer, more rumor-filled build-up than GTA 6, with leaks and speculation swirling for over a decade before Rockstar's first official trailer dropped in 2023. One of the most common questions long-time followers have is when was GTA 6 supposed to come out originally, before the string of delays and shifting development plans pushed the launch back years. We're breaking down the full timeline of early targets, verified leaks, and official statements to give you a clear picture of what the original release plans looked like.
Pre-Announcement Rumors and Rockstar's Early Internal Timeline
Rockstar first launched GTA 5 all the way back in 2013, and small-scale work on the next mainline entry in the franchise started as early as 2014, according to former studio employees. For the first six years of development, though, most of the studio's resources were tied up in supporting GTA Online's constant updates and developing Red Dead Redemption 2, which launched in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim. Rockstar never publicly confirmed these early internal dates, but studio insiders have reported that the first tentative internal target for GTA 6's launch was late 2022, a window that was set before RDR2's post-launch support was expanded to last three full years.
That 2022 window was never shared with the public, of course, and by 2019 it was already clear that the studio would miss that target. Rockstar expanded the scope of GTA 6 significantly that year, adding more locations to the map, a second playable protagonist, and a much more robust live service post-launch plan that would compete with the long-running success of GTA Online. Those changes added years of development work to the project, pushing back even internal estimates by a wide margin.
When Was GTA 6 Supposed to Come Out Originally, Per Verified Leaks and Insiders
By 2021, insiders started sharing more concrete details about Rockstar's public release plans for GTA 6. Reputable industry journalists like Jason Schreier confirmed that the studio was targeting a 2024 release window for all platforms, which was the first official planned release window that would have been shared with marketing teams and retail partners ahead of an announcement. That 2024 window is the answer most fans are looking for when they ask when was GTA 6 supposed to come out originally, as it was the first planned release that was intended for public announcement before unforeseen issues popped up.
For many fans, the multi-year wait for official news meant filling empty evenings with side gaming sessions that didn't require a huge time commitment. Short, casual games that fit into 10 or 15 minute gaps between scrolling through leak accounts and social media updates became go-to picks, and JAIHO SLOTS is a popular option for players looking for a low-stakes, fun distraction while they wait for new GTA 6 teases.
Everything changed in September 2022, when a massive data breach hit Rockstar, leaking 90 minutes of early GTA 6 gameplay footage, character models, plot details, and internal development documents online. The leak was one of the biggest in video game history, and it forced Rockstar to pause active development for several weeks to investigate the breach, tighten their security systems, and adjust some story and gameplay elements to avoid spoiling the final experience for fans. The 2022 data breach was one of the biggest factors that pushed the original release window back by over a year, according to official statements from Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive.
Top Reasons the Original GTA 6 Release Window Was Pushed Back
The 2022 data breach wasn't the only issue that derailed Rockstar's original 2024 release plans. Three main factors contributed to the delay, most of which were tied to efforts to make the game as polished and worker-friendly as possible:
Many fans were frustrated by the delay announcements, but most agreed that the trade-offs were worth it. Rockstar has repeatedly stated that they will only release the game when it is ready, prioritizing quality over hitting arbitrary release windows, a policy that has served the studio well with previous franchise entries that went on to become some of the best-selling games of all time.
What the Current Official GTA 6 Release Timeline Looks Like
Rockstar finally confirmed the current release window for GTA 6 in their 2023 earnings call, announcing that the game is scheduled to launch in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The first official trailer, which dropped in December 2023, broke YouTube records for the most views in 24 hours for a video game trailer, racking up over 93 million views in its first day online. Rockstar has not announced any further delays as of the latest official updates, so fans can expect the game to hit shelves sometime in the second half of 2025 unless unforeseen development issues pop up.
Pre-orders are expected to open 6 to 8 months before launch, with exclusive in-game bonuses for players who pre-order early. Rockstar has also hinted that they will release multiple gameplay trailers and deep dives in the months leading up to launch, giving fans a closer look at the game's story, map, and gameplay mechanics before they buy. Fans are advised to only trust official announcements from Rockstar or Take-Two Interactive for release date news, as most unofficial leak accounts share unsubstantiated information that is rarely accurate.
At the end of the day, when was GTA 6 supposed to come out originally? The short answer is that Rockstar first set an internal 2022 target, then a 2024 public release window before a series of delays pushed the launch back to 2025. The wait has been long and frustrating for many fans, but the extra development time will almost certainly lead to a more polished, ambitious game that lives up to the massive expectations of the GTA community. As we wait for more official updates, you can stick to trusted news sources for accurate information, and enjoy small, casual gaming breaks to pass the time until launch.
