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One video games analyst believes the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 delay could impact the release of the new Xbox and PlayStation 6 consoles.
Grand Theft Auto 6 was officially announced in December 2023 with a launch window of 2025. However earlier this year, it was announced that the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s GTA 5 would be delayed until May 26, 2026 so Rockstar Games can “polish” the title. Earlier this month, the game was delayed even further and will now launch November 19, 2026.
“Publishers will undoubtedly shuffle around their release schedules to avoid going head-to-head with GTA 6,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, gaming research director at market research company Ampere in an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz. He also believes this new delay could push back the planned 2027 release dates for new Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
“The delay will have a significant impact on console sales dynamics in 2026,” he added, with gamers needing to upgrade their Xbox Ones and PlayStation 4s to play the new Grand Theft Auto.
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… pic.twitter.com/yLX9KIiDzX
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) November 6, 2025
“A question I’m thinking about more progressively is this: Could the late arrival of GTA 6 have an impact on when next-gen consoles come to market? We are currently forecasting a next-gen PlayStation and Xbox to arrive in late 2027 – but might the console companies be tempted to get more from the current console generation by riding the GTA 6 wave and waiting until 2028,” he speculated.
Last month, it was reported that a 2027 release for the PlayStation 6 is “not just on the table, it’s the plan unless any unexpected delays happen” while Microsoft are also “targeting a 2027” launch for the follow-up to the Xbox Series X/S. Another report claimed Sony is also working on a handheld console to rival the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox ROG Ally.
Following Grand Theft Auto 6’s second delay, some fans are worried the game won’t actually release until 2027 while a rumoured $100 price tag has also sparked backlash.
In other news, a US congressman has criticised Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 for using generative AI artwork throughout the game.
The post ‘Grand Theft Auto 6’ delay could impact PS6 and new Xbox release dates appeared first on NME.