GTA VI 2026: Preorders open and release delayed

The long wait for the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise continues after more than a decade and two console generations. Developer Rockstar Games has pushed back its anticipated release schedule multiple times, shifting the launch window from its original fall 2025 target to May 26, 2026, and finally to November 19, 2026. Alongside these timeline changes, the studio has also faced allegations of union busting following the termination of more than 30 employees.

Amidst these developments, digital code-only preorders have officially opened for the highly anticipated title. Players can choose between the $79.99 standard edition and the $99.99 Ultimate Edition, both available for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S platforms.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Early official previews have introduced the game’s dual protagonists, Jason and Lucia, as they navigate Vice City and attempt to survive a criminal conspiracy following a botched heist. This follows a massive breach years ago when early development builds leaked online, an incident that ultimately resulted in a life sentence in a secure medical facility for the responsible hacker, occurring months before Rockstar formally unveiled the title with its debut trailer.

However, a new wave of leaks surfaced under the moniker "CyberLeek," sharing gameplay sequences just days before Rockstar’s planned six-hour Netflix-exclusive event on August 27. The leaked footage features protagonist Jason Duval engaging in various activities such as driving, flying an aircraft, using a taser, and attacking an individual with a wrench. One specific clip showed the player shooting bullet holes into a wall to spell out the word "LEEK," suggesting an actual build of the game has slipped past the developer's containment.