Grand Theft Auto VI, essentially the most hotly anticipated title in gaming historical past, has been delayed.
Take-Two Interactive pushed the discharge of the blockbuster title to Might 2026 on Friday.
The online game was beforehand anticipated to be launched in autumn this yr and is anticipated to be an instantaneous hit with billions in gross sales yearly, in accordance with analysts.
Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, is among the best-selling video video games of all time, promoting greater than 200 million copies since its launch in 2013.
“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,” mentioned developer Rockstar Video games in a press release posted on social media.
“We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
After the announcement, writer Take-Two’s share costs tumbled by 9%.
“We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking blockbuster entertainment experience,” mentioned Take-Two chief govt Strauss Zelnick.
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Inside an enormous e-sports match
Rockstar Video games first unveiled the trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI in December 2023, set to Tom Petty’s Love Is a Lengthy Highway.
The video was watched greater than 100 million occasions in 24 hours.
It confirmed the sport’s return to Vice Metropolis and launched the sport’s first feminine lead, Lucia, hinting at a modern-day Bonnie-and-Clyde duo.
GTA VI was anticipated to drive development within the online game trade this yr after a troubling interval.
Rising manufacturing prices and rising expectations round video games imply many titles have been delayed, inflicting monetary issues for studios and frustration for gamers.
In the course of the pandemic, when thousands and thousands extra folks started enjoying video video games, studio sizes swelled.
As soon as the lockdowns ended, nonetheless, demand dropped and the trade now faces an employment disaster with redundancies at studios round Britain and the world.
