Embrace the wait: Delays often lead to excellence.
That’s not a universal truth, but it frequently holds. Rushed projects can falter (think Duke Nukem 3D), yet extra time often yields brilliance. Perfecting details and discarding flawed concepts takes courage and care—qualities that elevate art. Recall games you’ve played that felt unfinished, leaving you wishing the developers had taken just a bit longer. Hold that thought.
GTA 6 is postponed, and that’s promising—it’s likely to shine brighter because of it.
Rockstar’s track record of pushing back releases to ensure perfection places them in rare company, akin to Nintendo, among studios that prioritize readiness over haste. The results? Consistently delectable.
I’ve been immersed in GTA since its earliest days, from multiplayer PC sessions to obscure gems like London 1969, masterpieces like GTA V, and the underrated Chinatown Wars on DS. I’ve roamed their chaotic, vibrant worlds for years. These games often arrive late—and, not by chance, they’re almost always exceptional. Here’s a look at every delay in GTA history (with a nod to Red Dead).
Grand Theft Auto III
Rockstar’s New York offices sat blocks from the World Trade Center, prompting Take-Two to briefly postpone GTA III after the September 11 attacks. Marketing VP Terry Donovan announced the delay days later:
“Our decision stems from two realities: working in downtown Manhattan has been challenging with disrupted communications, and we needed to thoroughly review all our titles and marketing materials in light of last week’s tragedy in the United States.”
He added: “Given Grand Theft Auto’s scope, this review is no small task. We’ve identified a few contextual elements and rare gameplay moments we’re no longer comfortable with. We regret the delay for fans awaiting this title, but we trust you understand our reasoning. The game will be extraordinary, hitting shelves in late October.”
With minimal tweaks, the delay proved wise for Rockstar and players. Rampaging through Liberty City so soon after real-world tragedy would have felt jarring.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Vice City and San Andreas share the record for briefest delays. In an era before digital storefronts and instant patches, publishers estimated physical disc needs for launch day—sometimes inaccurately. Rockstar postponed Vice City by a week to produce more discs, meeting the massive demand for GTA III’s sequel.
San Andreas on PS2 also launched a week later than planned, a calculated move to give developers extra days to refine their two-year endeavor.
Every Celebrity in GTA: San Andreas
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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Let’s be real: GTA’s handheld titles pack a punch, worthy of revisiting on your old PSP or DS. These portable adventures typically launched on schedule, but Vice City Stories for PSP faced a two-week delay in North America, with longer waits in parts of Europe.
The finest GTA (yes, I said it), Chinatown Wars, hit DS shelves two months late. When it arrived, it stunned critics with its creativity and depth. It’s a shame it didn’t sell—otherwise, we might be playing its sequel on modern consoles today.
Grand Theft Auto IV
After GTA III redefined gaming, excitement for GTA IV was electric. Abandoning clunky RenderWare for a new console generation, Rockstar Leeds aimed high, requiring several months’ delay to realize their vision.
Rockstar’s Sam Hause noted, “The new consoles [PS3 and 360] let us craft the Grand Theft Auto we’ve always envisioned. Every element has been reimagined, pushing hardware to its limits. Top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are collaborating with our Edinburgh team to maximize both platforms’ potential. Our goal is to exceed fans’ loftiest expectations, delivering the ultimate high-definition experience.”
Grand Theft Auto V
The biggest console game ever took time to perfect. GTA V landed in September 2013, delayed from an anticipated spring release. In January 2013, Rockstar shared this update:
“We know this four-month delay may disappoint, but trust us—it’s worth it. GTA V is an ambitious, complex project needing extra polish to meet our standards and yours. To all fans, we apologize and assure you the team is working tirelessly to make this game everything it can be. By September, we aim to surpass your expectations. Thank you for your patience.”
They delivered. GTA V became the most successful console game ever, a crown jewel alongside RDR2.
Red Dead Redemption 2
While not GTA, RDR2 is Rockstar’s finest work and worth mentioning. True to their quality-driven ethos, it faced two delays: first in spring 2017 for refinement, then again in February 2018, shifting to October. Rockstar explained:
“Red Dead Redemption 2 arrives October 26, 2018. We regret disappointing fans but need extra time to perfect it. We thank you for your patience and believe the wait will prove worthwhile. Check out these screenshots and stay tuned for more updates.”
That delay paid off, delivering an unmatched adventure gaming masterpiece.
So, don’t fret. GTA 6 is coming, and when it arrives, it’s bound to be spectacular. See you in Vice City.
