GTA 6 anticipation prompts industry-wide 2025 game launch delays

Rival publishers hold 2025 game release dates as Rockstar Games preps for ‘GTA 6’ Fall 2025 launch.

Gaming publishers are reportedly holding off on finalizing their 2025 release schedules as Rockstar Games prepares for the anticipated Fall 2025 launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.

According to a Bloomberg report, many rival developers are hesitant to release games close to the highly anticipated title due to its massive fanbase and expected dominance in the market.

During an investor call for Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, GTA 6 was confirmed to be on track for a late 2025 release. However, the report suggests potential delays are still possible, as Rockstar has a history of postponing major titles, including GTA 4, Red Dead Redemption, GTA 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Some developers, like Ubisoft, have expressed confidence in releasing games near Rockstar’s schedule, citing GTA 6 as a boost for the gaming industry overall. Meanwhile, Rockstar is reportedly refining its content by avoiding insensitive depictions of transgender individuals and minorities, signaling a shift in the company’s approach.

The anticipation for GTA 6 has been building since the debut of its first trailer last year, with GTA 5 continuing to break records as one of the best-selling games in history, with over 205 million copies sold. This prolonged wait between installments has left fans eager for updates, keeping the industry on edge as publishers strategize around one of gaming’s most anticipated releases.