Gaming Industry Faces $2.7 Billion Setback Due to GTA 6 Delay

The excitement surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI has hit a major bump. Rockstar Games has officially delayed the game until 2026, and the impact is already being felt across the gaming industry. According to a new report from Ampere Analysis, this delay could result in a staggering $2.7 billion loss in revenue for 2025, shaking up everything from console sales to game purchases.

GTA 6 – A Hit to Console Sales

The timing of the delay couldn’t be worse for console manufacturers. Ampere predicts that without GTA 6 driving the release cycle, next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will see 700,000 fewer unit sales in 2025. The game was expected to be a major motivator for players to upgrade their systems, especially with higher tariffs making next-gen consoles more expensive.

Reduced Game Purchases

The absence of GTA 6 will also affect software sales, with estimates showing around 20 million fewer games sold to current-gen console owners who were holding out for the release. When you factor in the loss from both consoles and game sales, the industry could be looking at a $2.7 billion revenue decline.

Reactions From the Industry

The delay is also having a ripple effect in the financial world. Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, saw its stock price take a hit after the announcement. The company has since revised its fiscal outlook, projecting $5.9 to $6 billion in bookings for 2026, which falls short of what Wall Street had expected, fueling concerns among investors.

With GTA 6 out of the picture for 2025, other game publishers are adjusting their strategies. Electronic Arts has already pushed forward the launch of a new Battlefield game to fill the void and capture some of the attention that would have gone to Rockstar’s megahit.

The Bigger Picture

At this point, GTA 6 isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural and financial phenomenon. The delay is a clear reminder of how powerful the franchise is in shaping the gaming market. With its absence, the industry is reeling from a multi-billion-dollar disruption, one that will alter how publishers plan their releases, how consumers make their purchasing decisions, and how investors view the market in 2025.

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