The delay of GTA VI could brutally impact the industry, according to a famous analyst

Rockstar Games has confirmed the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, moving its release from 2025 to May 2026. This decision not only impacts fans but is also projected to have significant negative consequences for the video game industry as a whole. Mat Piscatella, an analyst at Circana, has noted that GTA VI was expected to revitalize sales of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, similar to the phenomenon observed with the release of CFB 25 last year, which reignited a dormant market.

Being orphaned from GTA VI doesn’t mean we don’t have games

With this new calendar, it is estimated that total spending in the video game market in the U.S. will fall within a mid-single-digit range, bringing figures to levels not seen since before the pandemic. Although the delay could diminish investor interest in the industry, it is worth mentioning that Take-Two Interactive has other titles scheduled for this year, such as Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, which may help mitigate the decline.

Piscatella has expressed that the absence of GTA VI in 2025 means that “there are no benefits for anyone”. Originally, the game’s release was expected to delight next year’s holiday season. Instead, it is now anticipated that investment in video games and studios will continue to see a downturn, as the funds that were intended for this year have evaporated.

Despite the situation, the industry is not completely paralyzed. In addition to the mentioned titles from Take-Two, it is expected that Activision will release a new Call of Duty game this year and that the rumor about a Nintendo Switch 2 and new Mario Kart titles will contribute to the market’s recovery. However, GTA VI is still considered the most important video game release in history, thus increasing expectations and pressure on Rockstar to deliver a product that satisfies fans.

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