How long has GTA 6 been in development? Everything known about it

"How long has GTA 6 been in development?" is a question many gamers often wonder, and for good reason. It's been over 11 years since a mainline Grand Theft Auto title was released. The developer Rockstar Games has now announced that GTA 6 will be released on May 26, 2026. Naturally, fans are curious to know exactly how long how long the game's development has been underway.

Two months ago, an ex-Rockstar dev came forward on YouTube and disclosed that he started GTA 6 work after finishing the Red Dead Redemption 2 video game. Let’s explore this topic further and try to find an answer to "How long has GTA 6 been in development?"

How long has GTA 6 been in development? Everything we know so far

In a YouTube video embedded above, David Oformer, a former Rockstar North employee, shared his reaction to the official GTA 6 screenshots. At time stamp 1:00, he apparently gave a possible answer to the question, "How long has GTA 6 been in development?", in the following manner:

“So, I worked on GTA 6 from, uh, I guess 2018 to 2023, went on to it, um, after we wrapped up on RDR2.”

This suggests that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 started full-fledged development sometime in 2018.

Keep in mind that Rockstar Games officially confirmed GTA 6 and its development in February 2022. Shortly after Rockstar's statement, popular reporter Jason Schreier suggested in a Bloomberg article that Grand Theft Auto 6 has likely been in development since 2014.

How long has GTA 6 been in development? A theme picture of the GTA 6 cover art (Image via Rockstar Games)

The credibility of a reporter like Jason Schreier is worth noting. He has reported accurate information in the past when it comes to Grand Theft Auto titles.

If we consider the reports of both the ex-Rockstar developer and Jason Schreier, it’s possible that Rockstar did start planning GTA 6 right after GTA 5’s release. However, the actual development was likely started after 2018.

How long has GTA 6 been in development? A still from the first GTA 6 trailer (Image via Rockstar Games)

Fans have also been wondering when GTA 6 was originally supposed to be released. Rockstar Games never revealed the exact release date until now. It was always mentioned that the game would launch in 2025, more specifically during the fall season.

With the new release date now confirmed to be May 26, 2026, fans have to wait one whole year to get their hands on the new title in the long-running series. That said, the developer is expected to release some screenshots of the game very soon.

Also check: Why is GTA 6 taking so long?

About the author

Neeraj, a Grand Theft Auto writer, has penned over a thousand articles for Sportskeeda in the last two years, amassing an impressive 5+ million views. His dedication to the craft has earned him the title of a content specialist under the Esports & Gaming division. Previously, he was a senior analyst at media software company Cision, where he worked on projects for clients like Sony PlayStation.

With a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGJMC), and drawing inspiration from video game streamers like Ryukahr, Neeraj is committed to delivering top-notch content and setting a high standard for his team. He verifies information using both primary and secondary sources to ensure reader satisfaction.

Grand Theft Auto was Neeraj’s entry point into the world of video games, and he is still devoted to Rockstar Games' beloved franchise. He has played multiple generations of the series’ titles, from the 3D Universe entries to the modern HD classics. Neeraj believes that GTA Vice City is ideal for beginners looking to get familiar with the open-world genre.

Away from gaming, Neeraj finds delight in the comedic escapades of TV series like The Big Bang Theory.

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Edited by Niladri Roy