# GTA 6 Was Originally Meant to Release Much Sooner

> Rockstar Games planned GTA 6 release in early 2020s but delayed it to now.
- Title: GTA 6 Was Originally Meant to Release Much Sooner · IGN
- Summary: Rockstar Games planned GTA 6 release in early 2020s but delayed it to now. Rockstar Games initially intended to release GTA 6 in the early 2020s alongside…
- Keywords: rockstar games, gta 6, red dead redemption 2, take two interactive, strauss zelnick, jennifer kolbe, bloomberg, gaming, entertainment, GTA, Originally, Meant
- Source: IGN — https://ign.com/articles/gta-6-was-originally-meant-to-release-much-sooner-than-we-realized
- Author: Cade Onder
- Published: 2026-10-14T20:15:09.674+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rockstar games, gta 6, red dead redemption 2, take two interactive, strauss zelnick, jennifer kolbe, bloomberg, gaming, entertainment
## Rockstar's original plan
Rockstar Games initially planned to develop GTA 6 alongside Red Dead Redemption 2.
## Development shift
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson said GTA 6 would be put on back burner.
## Red Dead benefits GTA 6
Nelson noted Red Dead's systems would 'pay off' in GTA 6 development.

> everything they built for red dead would pay off in gta 6
## GTA 6 timeline
GTA 6 was delayed from 2025 release window to now.
## CEO reaction
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said he was surprised by delays.

> i think he said you're kidding please tell me you're kidding
## Development challenges
Rockstar doubled in size during GTA 6 development with pandemic productivity loss.
## Key takeaway

Rockstar Games initially intended to release GTA 6 in the early 2020s alongside Red Dead Redemption 2 but delayed it due to development challenges.