Are We Looking at a 2026 Release? [debate]

Hey everyone,I’ve been following the developments around GTA VI for a while now, and I can't shake the feeling that the game might not hit its 2025 release date as expected. I wanted to open up a discussion on this and see if anyone else shares the same doubts.1. Technical Hurdles and Development ComplexityFrom the leaks and bits of information we’ve gotten, it’s clear that GTA VI is shaping up to be the most ambitious game Rockstar has ever made. We're talking about an open-world map that could be larger than anything we've seen before, with highly realistic AI, a dynamic economy, and a completely revamped engine.The issue, though, is that creating something on this scale takes time. Rockstar is known for pushing boundaries, but this also means that bugs and technical issues could delay the game’s progress. And while it’s great to aim high, the level of polish required could very well push the release date into 2026.2. Lack of Official DateEven though Rockstar has confirmed that GTA VI is in development, they have never actually given us an official release date, just a vague "2025" window. They’ve been pretty quiet about the specifics, and it feels like they’re not ready to commit. We’ve seen this before with Red Dead Redemption 2—the final release date wasn’t set in stone until much later in development.It wouldn’t be the first time Rockstar has delayed a game to ensure it’s fully ready, and I think they could easily push GTA VI to 2026 if they feel it needs more time to live up to expectations.3. Competition and Market Timing2025 is shaping up to be a competitive year in the gaming world, with new consoles and technologies coming into play. With the rise of cloud gaming and next-gen graphics, GTA VI has to compete with other massive open-world games that will use cutting-edge technology like Unreal Engine 5. Rockstar might be thinking that a 2026 release gives them more breathing room to fully integrate these new advancements and dominate the market.4. Rockstar's History with DelaysLet’s not forget that Rockstar is notorious for pushing back release dates. They don’t rush their games, and sometimes, the wait pays off—look at how well Red Dead Redemption 2 turned out. If they want GTA VI to be just as groundbreaking (if not more), it wouldn’t surprise me if they choose to take the time needed to get it right.ConclusionSo, while I would love to be wrong, I have a gut feeling that GTA VI may not arrive in 2025, and we might be looking at a 2026 release instead. There’s just so much work to be done, and Rockstar isn’t a company to cut corners for the sake of hitting a date.I’d love to hear what you all think, 2025 or 2026 ? (pardon my english i'm not native)

I think it's quite possible the game could be pushed back to 2026, but Rockstar are clearly marketing it differently this time. They could wait until it's almost ready before showing anything else off and then release it a few months later in 2025, but the longer we go without an update, the more likely a delay seems.

I keep an eye out for Rockstar's job postings and they're recruiting quite a lot of different roles so there's definitely a lot of work still ongoing. I don't believe the game is anywhere near ready just yet, but they could also be recruiting for future plans and GTA Online updates too.