Former Rockstar Developer Issues Warning About Potential GTA 6 Delay

A former Veteran of Rockstar Games, who spent 14 years with the company, has shared insights on why GTA 6 might still face delays, advising fans to temper their expectations.

After years of speculation, the announcement of GTA 6 finally arrived, breaking multiple world records. The reveal trailer set social media ablaze as millions of fans got their first official glimpse of the much-anticipated sequel.

Now, 11 years since the last release in the acclaimed open-world series, fans have been eagerly waiting. However, the anticipated launch may be further off than expected. Although the first trailer suggested a 2025 release, and company executives reaffirmed this during investor calls, recent rumors suggest a potential delay.

These rumors, while unverified and lacking confirmation from credible sources, have sparked discussion across social media. Contributing to this dialogue is former Rockstar Games employee Obbe Vermeij, who worked on many iconic titles in the GTA franchise over his 14-year tenure.

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Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdBZY2fkU-0)

Joining Rockstar in 1995 and credited for his involvement in GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA 4, and several handheld entries, Vermeij possesses valuable insights regarding game launches.

Addressing the possibility of a GTA 6 delay, he highlighted that schedules can shift as release dates approach. At this stage, we may be too far away to accurately predict whether the release date will be adjusted.

“The decision to delay GTA 4 was made about four months before its initial release. Any sooner, and it’s challenging to make that call,” Vermeij noted.

“Rockstar is likely not in a position to determine if they can meet the 2025 deadline until around May,” he elaborated.

Despite the long wait and numerous gameplay leaks showcasing the title, this former Rockstar developer insists it’s premature to confirm anything about the release schedule.

The decision to delay GTA IV was made 4 months or so before the original release date. Any further and it’s hard to make the call. R* is probably not in a position to determine whether they will hit 2025 until May-ish. Also: GTA VI will sell for 10+ years.

— Obbe Vermeij (@ObbeVermeij) September 14, 2024

Given the vast scope of GTA 6, which includes a massive open world, numerous activities, hundreds of gameplay systems, and countless interactions, refining it to meet Rockstar’s high standards of quality is a complex task. If progress isn’t aligning as expected by May 2025, Vermeij suggests that a delay could push the release to 2026.

For now, these concerns remain speculative, as only those closely involved in development know how the game is progressing as the launch date approaches. Fans will need to stay tuned for any updates, as Rockstar tends to keep the community engaged with surprises.

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