The path to the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI has been long and arduous, due to the lack of a physical edition, numerous delays, and gameplay leaks. Currently set to release on November 19th, it will be one for the record books.
It will not only break sales records, but it'll also be considered one of the most leaked video games of all time. As of August 22, 2026, gameplay clips continue to surface online, with no end in sight. This begs the question: will Grand Theft Auto VI be delayed to 2027?
Rockstar Firing Employees
Rockstar Games has built a stellar reputation over the years, known for its steadfast drive for perfection and secrecy. The entire entertainment industry would shudder at the news of a new Rockstar Games production on the horizon, keeping their distance from each new title that landed on store shelves. It seems some cracks have begun to form, which may impact the release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
One of these is a series of firings in the company. In late 2025, Rockstar Games fired over 30 employees, claiming that they leaked confidential information regarding the upcoming title. The affected individuals have been in legal disputes ever since, stating they were let go when they tried to unionize.
As of now, there is no confirmation of the role each employee held in the game's development or whether they were reinstated. Depending on the state of the game at the time, these firings could've resulted in missed deadlines, though it's unclear whether it had a substantial impact.
Previous GTA 6 Delays
It is no secret that Rockstar Games aims to maintain its reputation for demanding perfection, even if that means delaying the game a few times. Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception to the rule.
With an initial release date of Fall 2025, it was delayed to May 2026, before being pushed to its current launch date of November 19th.
The company released a statement with each delay, stating that extra time was needed to polish the game. The company is no stranger to missing release dates, with Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 both experiencing multiple delays.
What Effect Have the Leaks Had?
Rockstar Games has been radio silent regarding Grand Theft Auto VI. There have been two trailers, a host of screenshots and artwork, alongside preorders going live on June 25th. With less than three months before launch, it's been over 18 months since the last glimpse of the game in action.
This will change with the extended look on August 27th, but players have already had a major look under the hood with two major leaks.
2022 Gameplay Leaks
After acknowledging its existence in a post on its website in February 2022, Rockstar Games fell silent until September of the same year, when over an hour of footage surfaced online.
Though the company was able to control the situation relatively quickly, much of the fanbase saw an unfinished build. Fans weighed in with mixed opinions. Some felt the game was beautiful, while others believed it looked horrible. Rockstar Games acknowledged the leaks, stating they would show the game off properly when ready. It would be over a year before the game was revealed, with the first trailer landing in December of 2023.
Trailer One Leak
The highly anticipated first trailer was announced in early December, with the plan to go live on December 5th. Hours before its debut, the trailer leaked online, forcing Rockstar Games to put it out a day early.
The trailer confirmed some details from the 2022 leaks, including the setting and characters involved. Fans would have to wait over a year before seeing the game again.
Jason and Lucia's Names Leaked Online
On April 19 2025, someone with the handle GameRoll revealed the names of the two protagonists more than two weeks before the second trailer aired. His post on X read:
"GTA 6 conversation has sort of dried up by now, so hey here’s a fun question. What do you guys think Jason and Lucia’s last names are? My guesses are Lucia Caminos and Jason Duvall. Why? Because they sound cool, duh."
When the second trailer was finally released, this prediction was proven true. GameRoll would go on to say he had known their names for a while, but that was as far as his knowledge went.
2026 Gameplay Leaks
Though rumors about the game's pricing and editions were true, the largest leak of the year has come from an individual or group called "CyberLeek".
On August 18th, 2026, gameplay clips began to surface online, confirming some rumored features and mechanics, including a basketball mini-game and a fuel system.
Though Take-Two and Rockstar have worked tirelessly to scrub the footage from the internet, they were not able to stop more videos from being posted and spread online.
As of this writing, there are seven gameplay clips and images of the official map.
Another Delay?
With everything that has happened, will there be another delay? Judging by some of the leaked footage, one could surmise that the game is nearly complete. However, some criticize things like the HUD, animations, NPCs, and other minuscule bugs/glitches that suggest the game may not be ready for primetime
If the leaks keep happening and players hold firm to the game looking atrocious, there is a slim chance Rockstar could push the release back by a couple of months.
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have way too much riding on this game. Anything short of a perfect launch will be considered a failure in their eyes. However, another delay could wreak havoc on their stock.
However, rumors and gameplay clips uploaded online suggest that CyberLeek has a build of the game. If they manage to leak the source code online, it will be nothing but disaster for Rockstar Games.
Do you think Grand Theft Auto VI will be delayed again? Let us know in the comments section.
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