The long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed once again, with Rockstar Games confirming the new launch date as 19 November 2026. The highly anticipated sequel had already been pushed from late 2025 to early 2026.
“We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realise has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve,” Rockstar Games said in a post on X.
The delay coincided with a protest outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh office, where dozens of demonstrators accused the studio of “blatant union busting” after it dismissed 31 employees. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which organised the protest, claimed the affected workers were part of a private union-linked discussion channel.
Rockstar, however, defended its actions, saying those fired had been “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum, a violation of our company policies.” The company did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for further comment.
The announcement hit shares of parent company Take-Two Interactive, which dropped more than 8% in after-hours trading following the news.
Set in a Miami-inspired Vice City, GTA 6 will feature a female protagonist named Lucia, marking the first time the franchise introduces a playable woman lead. In the trailer, set to Tom Petty’s Love Is A Long Road, Lucia is seen leaving prison before teaming up with her male partner for a string of armed robberies.
Fans have dubbed the duo a modern-day “Bonnie and Clyde”, with one scene showing them storming a store with pistols drawn and bandanas covering their faces.
First released in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has become one of the biggest entertainment properties of all time, as controversial as it is successful. The games have long drawn criticism for their depictions of violence, crime, and sexual content.
Players can steal cars, rob banks, and engage in shootouts, while past titles have faced backlash for scenes involving sex workers and strip clubs. Take-Two Interactive has repeatedly denied that the franchise promotes or glorifies real-world violence.
AFP
