When Rockstar Needed To Delay
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- Rockstar Games delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 twice, first from May 2025 to May 2026, and then again to November 2026, causing disappointment among fans.
- The initial 2025 launch window was optimistic, but as development progressed, Rockstar North's head of development, Rob Nelson, realized more time was needed to deliver a high-quality game.
- Rockstar's head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, communicated with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick to request the delays, which he reluctantly approved after understanding the reasons.
- Zelnick emphasized that delaying a game to allow developers more time typically results in a better final product and is a wise investment, despite the challenges such decisions pose.
- The delays reflect Rockstar's commitment to quality over rushing the release, a stance that Zelnick supports to avoid the pitfalls seen in other rushed game launches.
