GTA VI Delay Reshapes Fall Gaming Calendar, Opening Door for Rivals
The delay of “Grand Theft Auto VI” to May 2026 is reshaping the video game release calendar, giving rival publishers an unexpected opportunity. With Rockstar Games’ blockbuster absent from this year’s holiday season, the GTA VI delay offers developers and publishers a chance to secure release dates that would have otherwise been avoided.
“Publishers had delayed the announcement of their games,” said Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar Games technical director. “Releasing before or after GTA VI would hurt their sales. Now, we’ll likely see a wave of new game announcements targeting autumn.”
Electronic Arts (EA) was quick to respond. Just four days after Take-Two Interactive confirmed the GTA VI delay, EA revealed it would launch its new “Battlefield” game this fiscal year, ending in March 2026. Take-Two itself is adjusting by planning to release “Mafia: The Old Country” during the same window.
Autumn Becomes a Prime Window
The months from September to early December are traditionally strong for video game sales. The combination of public holidays and the end-of-year shopping season makes it an ideal period for new launches.
This year, the absence of GTA VI from that schedule is creating breathing room. Publishers with games nearly ready to launch—like Techland’s “Dying Light: The Beast” and Embracer’s “Killing Floor 3”—could capitalise if they lock in fall release dates soon.
However, moving large titles is not easy. Big-budget games often take five to seven years to develop. Shifting launch dates at short notice is rarely feasible. Instead, smaller studios, remastered games, or expansion packs may gain more attention during this gap.
Established Publishers Stand to Benefit
For major publishers like EA and Activision, the delay is a potential win. EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson noted during a recent earnings call that the release window now looks “clearer than it was before.” Investors responded positively, lifting EA’s share price.
Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at NYU, expects EA to sell 4 to 5 million units of the upcoming “Battlefield” by March 2026. Without the GTA VI delay, he estimates that figure would have been closer to 3 to 4 million.
EA’s sports franchises, including “FC” and “Madden NFL,” are also likely to benefit. With fewer competing blockbusters, these annual titles may enjoy stronger performance.
“There’s an opportunity to further monetise live service games like Apex Legends or EA Sports titles,” said Chris Hewish of Xsolla, a gaming fintech company.
Caution Ahead Despite Opportunity
Still, the positive outlook isn’t guaranteed. A crowded fall schedule, driven by developers rushing to fill the GTA gap, could increase competition just as consumer spending becomes more cautious.
Adding to the concern is the rising cost of gaming hardware. The US has imposed tariffs on key manufacturing regions such as China, Japan, and Vietnam, prompting price hikes for consoles like Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox. Console sales were already dipping, and higher prices may deepen the decline.
GTA VI was expected to be a major industry driver in 2025, possibly lifting both software and hardware sales. Its delay casts doubt over growth forecasts.
Yet, some optimism remains. Both EA and Roblox recently posted earnings that surpassed analyst expectations. Analysts believe other strong titles may fill the gap left by GTA VI, keeping the industry on a growth path.
“There’s space for other games to step in,” said Hewish. “That could help sustain growth into next year.”
with inputs from Reuters