The GTA VI delay was necessary because Rockstar wants perfection

The post The GTA VI delay was necessary because Rockstar wants perfection appeared first on Android Headlines.

May 16, 2025 - 17:22

GTA VI was recently hit with a delay that has pushed the game’s launch out into 2026. While this is a major letdown for some, the CEO of Take-Two, Strauss Zelnick, has now commented on the delay and explained why Take-Two and Rockstar have decided to push back the launch. In almost every single case of a delay, it’s because the studio needs more time to add that extra polish to the game before release. The same is true for GTA VI. “Needing more time to add extra polish” is probably the simplest way to explain the decision.

Delays are common and have been for a while, but they seem more common these days. No studio wants to go through what CD Projekt Red went through with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. The game is in an amazing state now. However, it launched with a lot of hype and excitement and immediately let down many fans. All thanks to the numerous bugs and game-breaking issues. Many of which could have been avoided had the game been given more time in development. It was not a good launch. And while Cyberpunk 2077 is hardly the first game to have this kind of issue, it was an extremely high-profile game, making it more mainstream and drawing more attention. GTA VI is also extremely high-profile. So, it makes sense that Take-Two and Rockstar want to avoid any potential mishaps with the launch.

The GTA VI delay happened because the “need for more polish was clear”

Delays happen, and as mentioned, they’re almost always because the game needs more polish. That’s exactly what’s happening with GTA VI, according to Zelnick. The delay is sort of ironic, of course. Late last year, Zelnick was reported as saying that the game was still on track for a release in the Fall of 2025. He felt good about the game’s trajectory toward launch, and this was good news at the time.

However, the inevitable came to pass, and Take-Two and Rockstar made the tough choice to delay their game. “As we get closer to completion of a title that’s seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear,” Zelnick said.

Zelnick also stated that delays pain him, but ultimately the decision was made to support the development team in their pursuit of perfection.

Zelnick feels good about the 2026 release

While Zelnick seemed sure of a Fall 2025 release before the delay, he seems even more sure now that the May 26, 2026 release is going to happen. Zelnick mentions that he feels really good about fiscal 26 when looking at it today. Also, noting that the team has historically been good about reaching targeted releases after a date was set.

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