GTA 6 gets release date and promises to innovate in Vice City

After years of waiting and a delayed release, Rockstar Games has finally confirmed the release date of Grand Theft Auto 6. The game will be released for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on May 26, 2026. Although the news brings relief, the extra wait and the absence of the title on services like Game Pass at launch are points of criticism.

Rockstar had promised a release for 2025, and the delay was met with frustration from the community. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, defended the decision, stating that the company "fully supports Rockstar Games in dedicating additional time to realize their creative vision." Rockstar also commented:

"We are very sorry this is later than you expected. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

There are speculations that the game's price may exceed the $70 mark, possibly reaching $100. Zelnick stated that the price would be "fair" and that the company's goal is "to always deliver more value than we charge for." Another relevant point is the confirmed absence of the game on Game Pass on launch day. Rockstar is expected to follow its usual strategy of releasing the game first for consoles, with the PC version scheduled for a period of six months to a year later, with Zelnick commenting that "Rockstar has an approach to platforms that we've seen before, and they will make more announcements in due time."

The trailers, released in December 2023 and May 2025, confirmed that the game is set in a modern Vice City and introduced the protagonists Lucia and Jason. The story, with elements of a Bonnie-and-Clyde, focuses on Lucia, the first female protagonist in the series, and her partner. The duo's narrative explores the criminal life in the "darker side of the sunniest place in America." A quote from Lucia in trailer 2 reinforces the theme of the couple's unity:

"The only way we'll get through this is by sticking together. Being a team."

Several leaks, including a massive one in September 2022, revealed details about the gameplay and the map. Rumors indicate that the map of GTA 6 will be larger than that of GTA 5 and that the game will have a honor system similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The leaks also suggest the return of the six-star wanted level and a limited inventory system. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, commented on the gameplay, stating that "people may be a bit disappointed," although he believes the game "will still be the best on the market."

GTA 6 is already positioned as one of the most important releases in the industry. Despite controversies over the price and the long wait, the promise of a vast world and an engaging narrative, driven by two protagonists, keeps expectations high. Rockstar Games continues to work, and the date of May 26, 2026 is the new milestone for the highly anticipated release.