GTA VI delay could cost Rockstar $500 million, experts warn

The delay of Grand Theft Auto VI is turning into one of the most expensive setbacks in gaming history.

Rockstar Games confirmed on November 6, 2025, that GTA VI will now launch on November 19, 2026 — six months later than originally planned.

According to industry experts, this decision could cost the company as much as $500 million. Finance professor Rob Wilson explained that additional quality assurance, updated marketing campaigns, and vendor rescheduling alone could add around $350 million to the overall budget. Combined with lost revenue from missing a key release window, the total impact could easily reach half a billion dollars.

Industry insider Tom Henderson echoed similar concerns, estimating that Rockstar spends roughly $10 million per month on continued development. On his podcast, Henderson mentioned that developers believe the delay will add about $60 million more in production costs — consistent with his earlier projections.

While some fans worry that the escalating costs might push the base price of GTA VI to $100, Wilson suggested Rockstar will likely avoid that move to prevent backlash. Instead, he expects the company to rely on premium editions and downloadable content (DLC) to recover the losses.

Despite the massive cost, analysts say Rockstar’s decision is strategic. Launching an unfinished product could damage its reputation — a mistake CD Projekt Red made with Cyberpunk 2077. Wilson noted that Rockstar’s long-term brand value outweighs short-term financial losses, making the delay a necessary investment in quality.