GTA 6 Delay: Ex-Rockstar Dev Issues Crucial Warning

GTA 6 Delay? Why an Ex-Rockstar Legend Says We Should Prepare for the Worst

If there is one game that defines the current decade of anticipation, it is undoubtedly Grand Theft Auto VI. But as fans obsessively track every pixel of the trailer and scour the internet for leaks, a former Rockstar Games veteran has stepped in with a reality check that might leave some gamers feeling a bit uneasy.

Obbe Vermeij, the former technical director at Rockstar North—a man who was instrumental during the development of GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas—has issued a warning: Don't be surprised if the 2025 release date slips.

The "Rockstar Standard" Over Deadlines

The gaming industry is notorious for "crunch" and meeting quarterly earnings reports, but Rockstar operates in its own stratosphere. According to Vermeij, the studio has a very specific philosophy: they don't release a game until it is ready. Vermeij points out that even if Rockstar is currently aiming for a Fall 2025 release, they likely won't know for sure if they can hit that target until May 2025. If the game isn't 100% polished by then, the leadership won't hesitate to push the button on a delay.

Why a Delay Might Actually Be Good News

While the thought of waiting until 2026 is enough to make any fan groan, Vermeij argues that a delay is far better than a "buggy" launch. GTA VI is arguably the most anticipated piece of entertainment in history. Because of this, the pressure to deliver perfection is astronomical.

"Rockstar is in a position where they don't have to care about competition or holiday windows," the developer suggested. If the game needs another six months to ensure it's a masterpiece, they will take it. After the industry-wide backlash seen with titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Rockstar knows that their brand is built on unrivaled quality, not speed.

A Lesson from the Past

This wouldn't be the first time Rockstar changed lanes at the last minute. Vermeij recalled his time working on GTA IV, noting that the decision to delay that game happened only about four months before the original intended launch.

The takeaway for fans? Keep your expectations in check.

What This Means for Players

As it stands, the official word from Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar's parent company) is still a Fall 2025 release window. However, internal whispers and the sheer scale of the project suggest that the timeline is "fluid."

Here is what we know for sure:

• The game is set in the neon-soaked state of Leonida (Florida).
• It features the series' first female protagonist, Lucia.
• The graphical fidelity is expected to set a new benchmark for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S era.

The bottom line? If you’re planning your 2025 vacation days around the GTA 6 launch, you might want to keep your plans very flexible. As Vermeij puts it, it’s better to have a delayed masterpiece than a rushed disappointment. Patience, it seems, is the ultimate cheat code.