How long has GTA 6 been in development? Ex-Rockstar dev shares possible details

“How long has GTA 6 been in development?” is a question many have on their mind, and for good reason. Rockstar Games recently released the second trailer of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, showcasing some of the best graphics ever seen for a current-gen title. It doesn't look like a work overnight but years in the making. Naturally, gamers are curious to know when its development was started.

While the development period of GTA 6 hasn’t officially been revealed yet, an ex-Rockstar dev has shed some light on it. In a video posted on YouTube on May 9, 2025, David O'Reilly said he started work on GTA 6 after finishing Red Dead Redemption 2, giving a possible development period for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto game.

This article will further explores an answer to the question: "How long has GTA 6 been in development?"

How long has GTA 6 been in development: It started around 2018, suggests the ex-Rockstar dev

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Former Rockstar North employee David O'Reilly posted a video on his YouTube channel reacting to the official GTA 6 screenshots on the company's website. The ex-developer shared some inside details about the upcoming game’s development period and his contribution to it:

“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 statement suggested an answer to the question, "How long has GTA 6 been in development" that Rockstar Games started the full-fledged development after Red Dead Redemption 2. Note that he didn’t say RDR2’s release, but possibly meant its development. This means that the developers possibly started working on a new Grand Theft Auto 6 around 2018.

How long has GTA 6 been in development: About seven years ago (Image via Rockstar Games)

It can be concluded from this that GTA 6 has been in development for possibly over seven years so far. Upon its release in May 2026, the game would have a development period of over eight years.

While it’s advisable to take this speculation with a pinch of salt, the information coming from an ex-Rockstar developer is worth considering.

Rockstar will likely release an official statement on Grand Theft Auto 6’s development period after its release. That means, the official answer to the question, "How long has GTA 6 been in development?" will likely be available sometime in 2026. As of May 2025, the title is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S gamers.

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 Dinesh Renthlei