A former Rockstar Games employee has reignited discussion around whether "Grand Theft Auto VI" might see another delay before it finally launches.
The comments come from someone with firsthand experience inside the studio, though he's been clear that he no longer has any direct insight into the game's current development status.
'GTA VI' Could Be Delayed Again Says Former Rockstar Dev
Speaking with Indy100 via Covers, former Rockstar Games senior animator Mike York said that he wouldn't be shocked if Rockstar pushed the release date back once more. York is known for his stint at Rockstar from 2012 to 2019, and during his time there, he handled projects including "GTA 5," "GTA Online," and "Red Dead Redemption 2."
When asked directly about his confidence in the current November launch window, York said based on his previous experience at the studio, Rockstar could "straight up" delay the game again.
York was careful to note that he no longer works for Rockstar and has no current knowledge of "GTA VI's" actual state of development. Still, drawing on his time there, he said the studio's high standards haven't changed, and that even a single important mission still needing polish close to launch could be enough to prompt another postponement.
Polished Release or Resorting to Patch Updates?
According to York, Rockstar has historically prioritized shipping a polished, finished product over strictly hitting a set deadline. He pointed to that mindset as the core reason another delay remains possible, even this close to launch and even with pre-orders already open and pricing confirmed.
York went as far as saying Rockstar would push the release "six more months if they have to" rather than compromise on quality. He also added that a delay likely wouldn't hurt pre-order sales either since he believes fans will keep waiting regardless of how long it takes.
That comment reflects the same approach Rockstar has taken with past titles like "Red Dead Redemption 2," which itself was delayed roughly a year from its original release date in pursuit of a more complete final product.
'GTA VI' Release Date Remains Unchanged
Despite York's comments, Rockstar has not announced any new delay, and "Grand Theft Auto VI" remains officially scheduled to launch on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The game has already been pushed back twice, first from its original fall 2025 window to May 2026, and then again from May to its current November date, with Rockstar citing the need for additional polish both times.
Despite these delays, Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto VI" preorders still saw a whopping $1 billion in earnings in its first hour of opening alone. This is despite the game costing as much as $80 for its standard release version, and reaching a whopping $100 for its Ultimate Edition.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has continued reaffirming the November release window in recent statements to investors, and the studio has since opened pre-orders while confirming pricing details for the game.
York's comments remain speculation rooted in his experience rather than any confirmed insider knowledge, and for now, Rockstar's messaging continues to point toward "GTA VI" arriving on schedule this November.
