GTA 6 delay wipes out billions from 2025 console market, analyst predicts

Analysts expected GTA 6 to boost console gaming, but the delay to 2026 has dropped these forecasts by multiple billions of dollars.

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Rockstar delayed GTA 6 to May 2026, and this move will have implications for the games industry and its various segments, especially console gaming. GTA 6's launch was expected to drive up sales and adoption of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S and help mature these slow-growing platforms, while also spiking software spending and potentially in-game purchases via any analogous GTA Online multiplayer component.

All-told, analyst firm Ampere Analysis estimates that GTA 6's delay will have a $2.7 billion implication for the console market. That is to say that GTA 6 was expected to contribute to a sizable multi-billion dollar spike in spending on the console platform. Rockstar's hugely anticipated sequel was also to help fire up console sales, with an estimated +21 million combined PS5s and Xbox Series systems forecasted to be sold in 2025 alongside GTA 6.

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"This long-rumoured delay to GTA VI will have a material negative impact on the console market scale in 2025 in terms of games sales volume and value, and in terms of PS5 and Xbox Series adoption and upgrading activity

"The delay is also a blow to the wider games sector this year, as console gaming was predicted to experience solid performance in 2025 and be a substantial input into overall sector growth. The positive impact of the GTA VI launch will now be delayed into 2026.

"For the rest of the console industry, with no blanket coverage of GTA VI, publishers will be able to raise awareness for their new titles and compete more effectively over this year's holiday season. Some of that spend earmarked for GTA VI will be diverted to other new releases."

Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to release on May 26, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more information, check out our GTA 6 content hub.