In news that has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, developer Rockstar Games has announced a second significant delay for the highly anticipated title, Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). The action-adventure game, which takes place in the fictional state of Leonida and a modern-day Vice City, will now launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
The game was initially postponed from an expected Autumn 2025 window to May 2026, making this the second official setback. The fans of the Grand Theft Auto series, who have been waiting over a decade for a new mainline entry, are, predictably, not taking the news kindly.
Rockstar Games Explains the Delay
Rockstar Games released a statement on their official X (formerly Twitter) account to address the change in the launch schedule:
“Hi everyone, Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.”
In a follow-up post, the company expressed gratitude for the community’s support, adding, “While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern day Vice City.”
Social Media Erupts in Frustration and Sarcasm
Following the announcement, fans immediately took to social media platforms to express their frustration and outrage, often resorting to dark humor and viral memes—jokingly stating they would be elderly before the game finally hits shelves.
Here’s what social media had to say:
- Expressions of Despair: A common sentiment reflected a loss of hope, with one individual flatly writing, “We are never getting GTA 6.”
- Sarcastic ‘Thank You’: The use of pointed sarcasm was rampant, with one user posting:“Thank you for teaching us about the importance of patience and self-discipline @RockstarGames. Young people are too focused on instant self-gratification these days. I humbly request that you extend the GTAVI deadline back to 2028 to help us combat this.”
- Viral Memes: The disappointment was widely channeled into jokes about the long development cycle, with memes referencing fans growing old while waiting.
GTA 6 Trends on Google Search
The news of the delay has made GTA 6 a top trending topic on Google in both the United States and India. This surge in search interest highlights the game’s status as one of the most anticipated titles in gaming history.
In India, the highest volume of queries about the delay came from the states of Goa, followed by Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana. The most frequently searched terms included:
- “GTA 6 delayed”
- “GTA 6 delayed again”
- “GTA 6 stock price”
- “GTA 6 wallpaper”
- Searches for ways to preorder the game.
Despite the mounting frustration from the community, Rockstar’s commitment to “polish” underscores its goal to deliver an experience that lives up to the immense hype, even if it means an extended wait for players.