Grand Theft Auto VI is probably going one of the vital anticipated video games in historical past, with thousands and thousands of gamers around the globe ready for any scrap of information or screenshot of the upcoming open-world crime simulator. Nevertheless, as distant staff wrestle with an undesirable return-to-office mandate from Rockstar Video games, Kotaku has realized from sources with data of the sport’s improvement course of that GTA 6 may miss its 2025 launch window and slip into 2026.
Formally unveiled in December 2023 (after an enormous 2022 leak) GTA 6 is the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2013’s GTA V. Over a decade after that recreation’s launch—and its large, still-growing gross sales numbers—Rockstar Video games is tough at work on the sequel, which is ready in Vice Metropolis, a fictional tackle Miami, Florida. The sport is ready to come back to PS5 and Xbox Collection someday in 2025, and internally that’s nonetheless the plan. Kotaku was advised by sources with data of the state of affairs that “early 2025” is at the moment the aim.
Nevertheless, Kotaku has additionally realized that it’s changing into increasingly probably that the sequel may not land till late 2025. It’s additionally doable that it may even slip into 2026 as manufacturing reportedly falls behind.
In February, following quite a few leaks, Bloomberg reported that Rockstar Video games was mandating its staff to return to work 5 days per week within the workplace starting in April. The brief discover and drastic change caught many abruptly and has led to frustration from employees who really feel like they’re being pushed out after being employed remotely, as reported by Aftermath on March 19.
Whereas safety and high quality are reportedly the primary causes Rockstar is instituting the mandate to return to the workplace, I used to be advised by sources—who want to stay nameless to keep away from doable retaliation—that improvement on GTA 6 has began “falling behind.” I’m advised this has management at Rockstar nervous and apprehensive concerning the recreation lacking the 2025 window and slipping into 2026, and is one other huge cause the corporate is pushing for a return to the workplace in April.
In the meanwhile, I’m advised that Rockstar continues to be “aiming” for GTA 6 to reach in Spring 2025. Whereas an early 2025 launch is the aim, sources say they aren’t certain if this can occur and a Fall 2025 launch appears extra believable and possible. In the meantime, delaying the sport to 2026 is on the desk as a form of “fallback plan” or “emergency” choice if wanted.
And naturally, it must be famous—and I used to be reminded when speaking to of us about this case—that Rockstar Video games traditionally waits till the “final minute” to make adjustments or alter plans, so the subsequent trailer for the sport—no phrase on when to count on that—may not replicate a delay as the corporate pushes ahead on improvement.
Kotaku has contacted Rockstar Video games
Talking to Aftermath, one worker shared considerations that after enhancing over the previous few years, Rockstar Video games may slide again into dev crunch as GTA VI enters the ultimate a part of its lengthy improvement.
“We’re involved about going again to that,” stated one Rockstar worker to Aftermath.
“I’ve been by way of a few tasks, each of which had crunch. The primary one was extraordinarily tough. I had method much less grey hair again then. … We need to proceed the strides we’ve made as an organization to take away that poisonous tradition.”
Even when the sport is internally pushed again till late 2025 or is publicly delayed till 2026, that doesn’t imply staff—who’re being compelled to return to the workplace towards their needs—received’t must crunch. The truth is, generally delays simply imply extra crunch. Regardless, it’s clear that GTA 6’s closing 12 months or so of improvement received’t be straightforward or fast as the corporate goals for early 2025.
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