- By Alex David
- Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
It’s going to be an even longer wait for Grand Theft Auto VI. The footage arrives with more bad news for the eager fans who are waiting to experience this next installment in the series on May 12, 2025: Developer Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive have officially delayed GTA VI from its prior May 2026 release date to November 19, 2026. The news was met by fans with disappointment, along with an unsurprising stretch of social media memes and frustration at the delay.
But for one company, PC gamers, it's yet another bitter blow. With no official PC release date, that means they might be waiting until 2028 to play the game.
GTA 6: New Release Date Confirmed for Consoles
Rockstar has contracted the November 19 release date solely for PS5 and Xbox, at least as far as the time of writing is concerned. Indeed, its website only lists the platforms above and omits any reference to PC.
The slip, Rockstar said, was intended to guarantee that the game is delivered in a typically polished and performing state. GTA VI is rumoured to be huge and it seems the team would want to avoid that kind of technical difficulty if they are trying to avoid creating another bumpy launch.
Why PC Players Might Wait Until 2028
And if Rockstar’s track record is anything to go by, PC players could be waiting more than a year. Traditionally, earlier games in the series have been console-exclusive for several months or up to a year before they eventually hit PC.
Let’s take a look at Rockstar’s history:
- GTA V was released on consoles in September 2013, but didn’t arrive on PC until April 2015 — some 19 months later.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Red Dead Redemption 2 also followed suit, dropping on consoles in October last year and after a year a version for our much-beloved PCs has been released this month, November.
If Rockstar repeats this cycle — or takes even longer due to GTA VI’s more ambitious scope — a 2028 PC release seems entirely possible. Some analysts predict late 2027 as a best-case scenario, but others believe the gap will be larger given the game’s technical complexity.
Why Rockstar Delays PC Releases
But there are a few good reasons why PC gamers can often be late to the party:
1. Platform Strategy:
Its because, like they always do,rr releases and targets for consoles first to milk that original rushed sales. Releasing later on PC makes for a second bump of publicity and money.
2. Technical Challenges:
Everyone has different hardware for PC gaming, ranging from low-end to super high-end rigs. It takes time to optimise the game for all three – which is especially important since GTA VI will likely be incredibly realistic and feature a huge map with advanced AI systems.
3. Cheat and Mod Management:
Rockstar has to account for cheat protection and mod compatibility, which are exponentially more difficult to balance on an open platform like PC than a closed console ecosystem.
4. Business Model:
The fact that the PC version is coming after the console versions also gives Rockstar and Take-Two another chance to make money on GTA V—initially with projected huge sales on current-generation consoles, then again when a PC edition appears boasting enhanced graphics and whatever bonus features.
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Fans React: Disappointment, Memes, and Hope
Naturally, the internet wasted no time in laughing at the delay. Reddit threads And X (née Twitter) posts were awash in memes of people hesitant to retire until GTA 6 came out. But many fans say that it’s Rockstar’s dedication to quality that sets its games apart — and that the delay, though painful, could mean a smoother, more polished game.
What’s Next for GTA VI
Now that November 19, 2026 is confirmed for consoles, the focus will be on what approach Rockstar takes to exposés and gameplay reveals over the next year. For PC gamers, however, patience is paramount — the latter may be waiting until 2028 before hitting the neon-soaked streets of Vice City.
Until that time, the countdown goes on, the memes take over and fans across the world pine for one of the most anticipated game launches in recent history — Grand Theft Auto VI.