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Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 launches on November 19, 2026, more than 13 years after GTA V. That's by far the longest gap between mainline GTA games. The reasons are a mix of success and scale: GTA V and GTA Online kept earning for a decade, Rockstar built Red Dead Redemption 2 in between, and GTA 6 is the biggest project the studio has attempted. Here's how the new Grand Theft Auto VI came together.
Key Takeaways
- GTA V launched in September 2013. GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026.
- Rockstar released Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018 between the two.
- Rockstar confirmed GTA 6 was in development in February 2022.
- Trailer 2 in May 2025 drew a claimed 475 million views across platforms in 24 hours.
- Rockstar Games develops GTA 6. Take-Two Interactive publishes it.
Who Is Rockstar Games?
Rockstar Games is the studio group behind Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne and Bully. It's owned by Take-Two Interactive, which publishes GTA 6. Rockstar has studios in several countries, with Rockstar North in Edinburgh leading the Grand Theft Auto series since its early days.
Why the Gap After GTA V Was So Long
Three things kept GTA 6 waiting.
First, GTA V never stopped selling. It launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, came to PS4, Xbox One and PC, and then to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Take-Two reports it has sold more than 200 million copies, and GTA Online kept adding content for more than a decade.
Second, Rockstar made Red Dead Redemption 2, released in October 2018. It was a massive production in its own right.
Third, scale. Each generation, Rockstar's worlds get denser and more detailed. GTA 6's Leonida is its most ambitious world yet, and Rockstar delayed it twice to finish it.
Rockstar's Road to GTA 6
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 2013 | GTA V releases |
| October 2018 | Red Dead Redemption 2 releases |
| February 2022 | Rockstar confirms the next GTA is in development |
| September 2022 | Early development footage leaks online |
| December 2023 | Trailer 1 confirms Vice City and a 2025 window |
| May 2025 | Delay to May 26, 2026, then Trailer 2 |
| November 2025 | Delay to November 19, 2026 |
| June 25, 2026 | Preorders open |
| August 27, 2026 | Extended Look gameplay showcase |
| November 19, 2026 | Launch |
The 2022 Leak
In September 2022, a large set of early development clips leaked online. Rockstar confirmed the leak, said it was disappointed that unfinished work had been shared, and said development would continue as planned. The footage was years away from the final game, which is why comparing it with the trailers isn't very useful.
What Rockstar Has Shown Since
Two trailers, character and location pages on Rockstar's site, preorders and the August 2026 Extended Look. Trailer 1 broke YouTube records for a non-music video, and Rockstar said Trailer 2 reached 475 million views across platforms in its first 24 hours. The studio has also announced GTA VI: The Album, a 34-track soundtrack, for launch day.
For the full list of confirmed details, see everything Rockstar has confirmed about GTA VI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made GTA 6?
Rockstar Games, with Take-Two Interactive as publisher.
Which Rockstar studio leads GTA 6?
Rockstar North in Edinburgh has led the Grand Theft Auto series, with support from Rockstar's other studios.
Why did GTA 6 take so long?
GTA V and GTA Online kept earning for years, Rockstar made Red Dead Redemption 2 in between, and GTA 6 is the studio's biggest project. It was also delayed twice.
When did Rockstar announce GTA 6?
Rockstar confirmed development in February 2022 and released the first trailer in December 2023.
When is Rockstar's GTA 6 release date?
November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.