GTA 6 Has Been in Active Development Since 2018, Confirms Former Rockstar Dev
A bombshell revelation from ex-Rockstar developer David O’Reilly has confirmed Grand Theft Auto VI’s development timeline: active production began in 2018 – making it at least an 8-year endeavor by its 2026 launch. This disclosure during the Kiwi Talkz podcast reshapes our understanding of the game’s record-breaking gestation period and the scale of its ambition.
The Timeline Breakdown
- 2018: Development “started in earnest” post-Red Dead Redemption 2 (per Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier)
- 2018–2023: O’Reilly worked on the project for 5 years before leaving Rockstar
- 2022: Major gameplay leak via “network intrusion” revealed advanced development state
- 2026 (May): Minimum 8-year active development cycle at launch
Pre-Production Secrets
While O’Reilly’s role began in 2018, industry analysts speculate:
- Pre-production likely started post-GTA V (2013) – aligning with Rockstar’s 3-year planning phases
- Early concepts for Vice City’s return and dual protagonists (Jason/Lucia) may date back a decade
- Total project lifespan could exceed 12 years from conception to release
Why This Matters
The extended timeline explains:
- Unprecedented Scale: Living NPC routines, real-time building interiors, and reactive ecosystems demand years of iteration
- Technical Foundations: RAGE engine overhaul for next-gen consoles began early
- Delay Rationale: Polish for gaming’s most anticipated title justifies Rockstar’s May 2026 delay
Context: Rockstar’s Development Evolution
| Game | Development Time |
|---|---|
| GTA V (2013) | 3 years |
| RDR2 (2018) | 5 years |
| GTA VI (2026) | 8+ years |
| This progression reflects ballooning AAA complexity – GTA VI’s cycle is nearly triple GTA V’s. |
Also, Read
- UK Online Safety Act Threatens GTA 6 Access – Age Verification May Lock Out Millions
- GTA 6 Delay Rumors Spark Extreme Fan Reactions – “People May Do Dangerous Things”
- GTA 6 Pricing Leak Reveals $70 Standard Edition – Fans Relieved Amid Industry Hikes
What’s Next
With core development complete, focus shifts to:
- Optimization for PS5/Xbox Series X|S
- GTA Online integration
- Final bug testing ahead of May 2026
O’Reilly’s insight confirms why fans have waited 13 years: Rockstar is engineering a generational leap.