The Pain of Being a PC Gamer in a Console-First World
The announcement of GTA 6’s 2025 console release should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, it’s opened old wounds for PC gamers who notice one glaring omission – no mention of Steam, no PC release date, just the same old waiting game. This familiar pattern of exclusion has sparked frustration across gaming forums, with players questioning why Rockstar continues this outdated strategy in an era where PC gaming has never been more popular.
A History of Hurry Up and Wait
Longtime fans know this routine all too well. When GTA V first launched in 2013, PC players watched from the sidelines as console users explored Los Santos for nearly two years before getting their turn. Red Dead Redemption 2 repeated the pattern in 2018, with PC gamers left staring at spoiler-filled forums while console players lived out their cowboy fantasies.
What stings more in 2026 is how unnecessary these delays feel. The gaming landscape has transformed dramatically – Steam regularly shatters concurrent user records, high-end GPUs outmuscle consoles, and digital distribution makes simultaneous launches easier than ever. Yet here we are again, facing another cycle of being last in line.
It’s mind-boggling that in 2026, GTA VI isn’t releasing on PC at launch. A total old school ideology from Rockstar Games.
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More Than Just Impatience
The consequences of these delays go beyond simple frustration. PC players lose the joy of experiencing a new Rockstar world alongside everyone else. Story moments get spoiled, multiplayer economies become established without them, and by the time they finally get their hands on the game, the cultural conversation has moved on.
There’s also the financial slap in the face – many loyal fans end up buying the GTA 6 game twice, first on console to play immediately, then again on PC for the superior experience. It’s a cynical business strategy that treats PC gamers more like ATMs than valued customers.
A Community’s Growing Resentment
The Reddit threads and forum posts tell the same story – players are tired of excuses. They point to other major studios routinely delivering polished, simultaneous multiplatform releases. They highlight how Rockstar’s own parent company Take-Two releases NBA 2K and other titles day-and-date across all platforms.
Most frustrating is the silence. No explanation, no roadmap, just the implicit message that PC players should be grateful they’re getting the game at all. In an era where games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Starfield launch simultaneously across platforms, Rockstar’s approach feels increasingly out of touch.
Also, Read
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- GTA 6 Mania – How Fans Are Finding Hidden Clues in Every Frame
- GTA 6’s Death Mechanic Could Become Its Most Brilliant Feature Yet
Is There Hope on the Horizon?
Some optimists suggest the delay might allow for groundbreaking PC-exclusive features – perhaps full path tracing implementation or Steam Deck optimization. Others hope Rockstar is secretly planning a surprise simultaneous launch. But without official communication, these remain just that – hopes.
One thing is certain: with PC gaming more vital than ever, this may be the last time Rockstar can get away with treating half their fanbase as an afterthought.