GTA 6 delay could be coming again, says insider

Grand Theft Auto 6’s release date currently set for 26 May 2026, might not be as firm as it sounds. A recent episode of the Insider Gaming podcast featured journalist Tom Henderson casting fresh doubts on Rockstar’s timeline, and the gaming community is buzzing about what it might mean.

Tom Henderson isn’t convinced May is locked in

Henderson, well known for accurate predictions on GTA development, admitted on the podcast:

“To be honest, I don’t think that it is gonna release in May. For some reason, I just cannot see GTA 6 releasing in May. … I think Rockstar are just such perfectionists… to me personally, I think we're looking at October.”— Tom Henderson

He emphasised that Rockstar’s perfectionist mindset and the risk of even minor bugs going public could push them to delay again—perhaps as far as October—to ensure a polished product and maximise holiday season sales.

But there’s pushback from a former Rockstar insider

On the other hand, former Rockstar technical director Obbe Vermeij — who worked on classics like GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas — pushed back against the idea of another delay. Speaking recently, he said the 26 May 2026 date isn’t speculation but a deliberate choice by Rockstar, adding that if a delay were to happen, it wouldn’t be announced before December 2025. His comments were reported by India Times.

Another ex-developer echoed this sentiment, calling the previously announced delay a “bummer” but also a confident move by Rockstar to meet high-quality standards.

Why the timeline is causing debate

GTA 6 is arguably the most anticipated game of the decade—calling it a potential “AAAAA” title, an industry co-founder described. It’s no surprise that even minor setbacks spark speculation.

Plus, fans remember GTA 5’s launch troubles and are understandably wary. Even Jason Schreier warned the current date might not be rock-solid, driven by internal pressures and high expectations.

Still, Take-Two and Rockstar have stood by the May date—Rockstar even issued a “humbling apology” for the delay from 2025, reaffirming their focus on quality. The stock dipped when the delay was announced, but analysts seem to agree the move makes sense long-term.

Player perspective: cautious optimism

On the forums, players are discussing Henderson’s comments with a mix of hope and scepticism. One commenter wrote: “If he’s right, that means a smoother launch—but man, I just want to play already.” Another pointed out: “Vermeij’s right, Rockstar doesn’t just throw dates out there.”

If the delay happens, fans say it’ll hurt—but if it means a cleaner launch with fewer bugs, then maybe it's worth it.

Bottom line

Right now, the May 2026 release date is the most credible target we have. But with an industry insider openly saying it could slip to October, and old hands at Rockstar backing the date—fans are torn between patience and anticipation.