(WXIN) – One of the most highly anticipated video games of 2025 won’t come out until 2026.

“Grand Theft Auto VI” is set for release on May 26, 2026, according to Rockstar Games.

“We apologize for the delay beyond your expectations,” the company stated. “We trust you understand that this additional time is necessary to deliver the high-quality experience you anticipate and deserve.”

While no official release date was announced for the game, many analysts predicted it would arrive this fall. Several game publishers even postponed their own releases to avoid clashing with the expected “Grand Theft Auto VI” launch period.

The game has been in development for ten years and is the sequel to the immensely successful “Grand Theft Auto V,” released in 2013, which continues to maintain a loyal fanbase.

The “GTA” series debuted in 1997 but achieved blockbuster status with the release of “Grand Theft Auto III” in 2001, which made the leap to a 3D open world and became one of the best-selling video games of the era.

Rockstar released the trailer for “Grand Theft Auto VI” back in December 2023.

Here’s the company’s statement on the delay:

Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026.

We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.

With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.

We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

Rockstar Games