Report: Publishers Plan to Delay Game Releases to Avoid Competing with GTA 6

It seems a lot of game publishers are seriously considering shifting their release schedules to steer clear of going head-to-head with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.

This insight comes from The Game Business, a newly-launched platform that has been in conversations with several top executives in the industry. Many are expressing their reluctance to compete with Rockstar’s upcoming juggernaut.

One executive from a major publishing company reportedly commented, “Rockstar games tend to dominate both financially and, more crucially, in terms of players’ time.” He emphasized, “We absolutely want to avoid that clash. We’re actively exploring multiple strategies for our upcoming releases.”

Another high-ranking official from a different firm mentioned, “Even without the GTA factor, it’s incredibly challenging to secure a prime slot where a new game can truly stand out. Our main constraint is time, not money. It’s a tough environment out there.”

Adding to the chorus, a European director of a well-known triple-A publisher expressed their concerns about timing. “We’re dead set against releasing anything around late October or early November,” they stated.

The strategy here seems to be avoiding a launch right before or just after GTA 6 hits the shelves. If the game drops in late October, this forces publishers to either push for earlier releases—explaining the recent swell of summer launch dates—or delay until after the Black Friday rush, which presents its own challenges.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to be releasing sometime in 2025, probably in the autumn, which has everyone in the industry on high alert as they plan their moves.