Grand Theft Auto VI is probably going probably the most anticipated video games in historical past, with hundreds of thousands of gamers all over the world ready for any scrap of information or screenshot of the upcoming open-world crime simulator. Nevertheless, as distant employees battle with an undesirable return-to-office mandate from Rockstar Video games, Kotaku has discovered from sources with data of the sport’s growth course of that GTA 6 may miss its 2025 launch window and slip into 2026.
Formally unveiled in December 2023 (after an enormous 2022 leak) GTA 6 is the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2013’s GTA V. Over a decade after that recreation’s launch—and its large, still-growing gross sales numbers—Rockstar Video games is tough at work on the sequel, which is ready in Vice Metropolis, a fictional tackle Miami, Florida. The sport is ready to come back to PS5 and Xbox Sequence someday in 2025, and internally that’s nonetheless the plan. Kotaku was advised by sources with data of the scenario that “early 2025” is at present the purpose.
Nevertheless, Kotaku has additionally discovered that it’s changing into an increasing number of possible that the sequel may not land till late 2025. It’s additionally doable that it may even slip into 2026 as manufacturing reportedly falls behind.
In February, following quite a few leaks, Bloomberg reported that Rockstar Video games was mandating its workers to return to work 5 days per week within the workplace starting in April. The quick discover and drastic change caught many unexpectedly and has led to frustration from workers who really feel like they’re being pushed out after being employed remotely, as reported by Aftermath on March 19.
Whereas safety and high quality are reportedly the primary causes Rockstar is instituting the mandate to return to the workplace, I used to be advised by sources—who want to stay nameless to keep away from doable retaliation—that growth on GTA 6 has began “falling behind.” I’m advised this has management at Rockstar nervous and fearful concerning the recreation lacking the 2025 window and slipping into 2026, and is one other huge motive the corporate is pushing for a return to the workplace in April.
In the mean time, I’m advised that Rockstar remains to be “aiming” for GTA 6 to reach in Spring 2025. Whereas an early 2025 launch is the purpose, sources say they aren’t positive if this can occur and a Fall 2025 launch appears extra believable and possible. In the meantime, delaying the sport to 2026 is on the desk as a form of “fallback plan” or “emergency” possibility if wanted.
And naturally, it ought to be famous—and I used to be reminded when speaking to people about this example—that Rockstar Video games traditionally waits till the “final minute” to make adjustments or alter plans, so the subsequent trailer for the sport—no phrase on when to count on that—may not replicate a delay as the corporate pushes ahead on growth.
Kotaku has contacted Rockstar Video games
Chatting with Aftermath, one worker shared issues that after bettering over the previous few years, Rockstar Video games may slide again into dev crunch as GTA VI enters the ultimate a part of its lengthy growth.
“We’re involved about going again to that,” stated one Rockstar worker to Aftermath.
“I’ve been by way of a few initiatives, each of which had crunch. The primary one was extraordinarily tough. I had manner much less grey hair again then. … We wish to proceed the strides we’ve made as an organization to take away that poisonous tradition.”
Even when the sport is internally pushed again till late 2025 or is publicly delayed till 2026, that doesn’t imply employees—who’re being compelled to return to the workplace in opposition to their needs—gained’t should crunch. Actually, typically delays simply imply extra crunch. Regardless, it’s clear that GTA 6’s ultimate yr or so of growth gained’t be simple or fast as the corporate goals for early 2025.
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