GTA 6 Two Key Reasons Explained by GTA V Actors
The lengthy development cycle of Grand Theft Auto VI has been a topic of much discussion, but two key reasons for the delay have now been clearly articulated by those close to the series. In a recent interview, GTA V stars Ned Luke (Michael De Santa) and Shawn Fonteno (Franklin Clinton) shed light on the dual factors that have contributed to the extended wait for Rockstar’s next blockbuster.
The first and most significant factor was the COVID-19 pandemic. Ned Luke pointed out that the peak pandemic years of 2020-2022, which forced studios worldwide to adapt to remote work, would have delayed development by “a year or two, at least.” This aligns with industry-wide patterns where major productions faced substantial setbacks due to lockdowns and the challenges of coordinating complex game development outside of traditional office environments.
The second reason is more strategic. Shawn Fonteno highlighted the tremendous ongoing revenue generated by GTA Online. With the existing title continuing to be a massive financial success, there is less pressure to rush its successor to market. This allows Rockstar to take the time needed to perfect GTA VI without the urgency to immediately replace their current revenue stream.
These insights help contextualize the development timeline. Before the pandemic, Rockstar’s focus was on the 2018 release of Red Dead Redemption 2. The subsequent global disruption, combined with the luxury of a thriving live-service game, created a perfect storm that has extended the wait for the next Grand Theft Auto installment.
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While the delay can be frustrating for fans, this methodical approach is consistent with Rockstar’s history of prioritizing polish and quality. The current release window for GTA VI is May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC version expected to follow.