Rockstar’s GTA 6 Delay Follows Pattern of Postponements for Quality

Take a moment to relax: Delays often lead to better games.

This isn’t always the case, but it’s true more often than not. While some delayed projects flop (like Duke Nukem 3D), extra time usually yields superior results. Meticulous effort to perfect details and the courage to scrap ideas that don’t work are vital in game development. Think about the unfinished games you’ve played and wished the developers had taken more time to get right. Keep that in mind.

GTA 6 is delayed, and that’s likely a positive sign, as it will probably improve the final product.

Rockstar has a consistent track record of postponing releases to ensure quality, placing them in an elite group of studios, like Nintendo, that prioritize perfection before launch. The results are almost always worth the wait.

I’ve been immersed in GTA games since their inception, from multiplayer PC sessions to obscure titles like London 1969, the stellar GTA V, and the underrated gem Chinatown Wars on DS. I’ve explored these vibrant, chaotic worlds for years. Fortunately, these games are often delayed... and consistently exceptional. Here’s a look at every delay in GTA history (plus some Red Dead examples).

Grand Theft Auto III

Rockstar’s New York offices were close to the World Trade Center, and following the September 11 attacks, Take Two quickly decided to delay GTA III briefly. Marketing VP Terry Donovan announced the delay days after the tragedy:

"Our decision stems from two factors: first, working in downtown Manhattan has been challenging due to disrupted communications infrastructure, and second, we felt it was essential to thoroughly review all our titles and their marketing materials in light of last week’s tragic events in the United States.”

He added: "Given the scale of Grand Theft Auto, this review is no small task. We’ve identified a few minor contextual elements and rare gameplay moments that no longer felt appropriate. We apologize to everyone awaiting this game for the delay, but we believe you’ll understand our reasoning. The game will be extraordinary... expect it in stores by late October.”

With only minor content tweaks, the delay was a prudent choice for Rockstar and its players. Releasing a game featuring violence in Liberty City so soon after such a tragedy would have been poorly received.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Vice City and San Andreas share the record for the shortest delays. In an era before digital downloads and day-one patches, publishers had to estimate physical disc production needs in advance, sometimes miscalculating. Rockstar delayed Vice City by a week to produce more discs to meet the high demand for the GTA III sequel.

San Andreas on PS2 was also pushed back by seven days, a strategic move to allow the team a bit more time to refine their two-year project.

Every Celebrity in GTA: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Let’s be real: GTA’s handheld titles are phenomenal, worth revisiting on your old PlayStation Portable or DS. While most portable GTA games launched on schedule, Vice City Stories for PSP was delayed by two weeks in North America and longer in parts of Europe.

The standout Chinatown Wars on DS, arguably the best GTA title, arrived two months later than planned. When it finally launched, it earned critical acclaim, but its commercial failure remains a gaming tragedy—otherwise, we might be playing its sequel on modern consoles today.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Following GTA III’s industry-shaking impact, excitement for GTA IV was immense. Moving beyond the outdated RenderWare engine to a new console generation, Rockstar Leeds aimed high, requiring several months of delay to realize their vision.

Rockstar’s Sam Hause noted, “The new consoles [PS3 and 360] enable us to craft the Grand Theft Auto game we’ve always envisioned. Every element of the game has been reimagined. It’s a massive project, pushing hardware to its limits. Top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are collaborating with our Edinburgh team to maximize both platforms’ potential. Our goal is to exceed fans’ highest expectations and deliver the ultimate high-definition gaming experience.”

Grand Theft Auto V

The most iconic console game took time to perfect. GTA V launched in September 2013, delayed from an expected spring release. In January 2013, Rockstar shared this statement:

“We know this four-month delay may disappoint many, but trust us, it’s worth it. GTA V is an incredibly ambitious and complex game that needs a bit more polish to meet our standards and, more importantly, yours. To all Grand Theft Auto fans, we apologize for the delay and assure you the team is working tirelessly to make the game everything it can be. We’re doing all we can to ensure it meets or exceeds your expectations in September—thank you for your support and patience.”

They delivered. GTA V became the most successful console game ever, and alongside RDR2, it remains a pinnacle of Rockstar’s achievements.

Red Dead Redemption 2

While not part of the GTA series, RDR2 is Rockstar’s finest work, and it’s worth mentioning. True to Rockstar’s quality-driven delays, Red Dead Redemption 2 was postponed twice—first in spring 2017 for quality assurance, and again in February 2018, moving to late October. Rockstar’s statement explained the focus on quality:

“We’re thrilled to confirm Red Dead Redemption 2’s release on October 26, 2018. We apologize for disappointing anyone with this delay. While we hoped to launch sooner, we need a little more time for polish.

“Thank you for your patience, and we hope you’ll find the wait worthwhile when you play the game. In the meantime, check out these screenshots. We look forward to sharing more details soon.”

Like other delays, this one paid off, delivering an unmatched masterpiece in adventure gaming.

So, don’t worry. GTA 6 will arrive, and when it does, it will almost certainly be exceptional. See you in Vice City.