GTA 6 Delay Sparks Joy For EA, Differing Reactions For Others

The delay of GTA 6 has sparked a range of reactions across the gaming industry, with EA feeling particularly optimistic about their upcoming Battlefield release. Dive into the details to understand EA's perspective and the varied responses from other developers.

GTA 6 Delay Effects and Reactions

Battlefield Release Window "Clearer Than It Was Before"

EA has confirmed the release window for Battlefield following the announcement of GTA 6's delay. During their Q4 and FY 2025 Earnings Conference Call on May 6, EA CEO Andrew Wilson revealed that Battlefield is set to launch in March 2026. He expressed a sense of relief and optimism about the timing, given GTA 6's postponed release.

When questioned about how major game releases impact the launch of other titles, Wilson noted that few companies could expedite their game releases to sidestep GTA 6, due to the complexities involved in moving release dates forward. However, he was pleased with the outcome for EA, as Battlefield will now hit the market two months before GTA 6.

The timing of game launches has long been a concern for developers and publishers, especially since GTA 6's first trailer was released. With the delay announcement, many are reshuffling their plans, but Battlefield's team is content with the new schedule.

"Relative to Battlefield, what we have said all along is we’ve been building towards a window that we thought made the most sense for Battlefield," Wilson explained. "But we wouldn’t launch into a window that we thought truncated the value that we’ve invested into the franchise, or the value that we think our players will derive from it once they jump in and start playing,"

He emphasized that the "window is clearer than it was before" and feels confident about releasing Battlefield in 2026. The game is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Death Stranding 2 Will Come Out Regardless of GTA 6’s Release Window

Meanwhile, Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2 (DS2), acknowledged the industry's tendency to move away from GTA 6's release window. However, in a recent episode of Koji Pro radio broadcast, he affirmed that DS2's launch date was set long before and will proceed as planned.

Kojima mentioned hearing rumors that GTA 6 was initially slated for a November release, prompting other companies to adjust their schedules. He likened this to the film industry's response to a new Mission Impossible movie: "For instance, if a new Mission Impossible movie were to release in May, others wouldn't be able to compete with that so would move somewhere else."

Despite the industry's shift, Kojima is committed to adhering to DS2's development timeline, targeting a September release. With DS2 now 95% complete, its launch is imminent.

Other Developers Steer Clear, Devolver Digital Says Bring It On

For many developers, the looming release window of GTA 6 is a critical factor in planning their own game launches. The Game Business Show reported in March that several game executives are prepared to adjust their release dates to avoid clashing with GTA 6.

An anonymous executive stated, "We will nudge our releases back or forward three weeks to avoid it. Of course, the problem is everyone is going to do the same. So three to four weeks before or after GTA 6, you’re going to get a load of games dropping content in what they believe will be the safe zone."

On the contrary, Cult of the Lamb publisher Devolver Digital boldly announced plans to release a game on the same day as GTA 6. While the specific title remains undisclosed, Devolver Digital's catalog includes potential sequels like Cult of the Lamb, Inscription, and Hotline Miami, or even a new IP.

The delay of GTA 6 has undoubtedly caused ripples throughout the gaming industry, prompting developers to recalibrate their release strategies. GTA 6 is now scheduled for release on May 26, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Stay tuned for further updates by checking out our comprehensive article below!