Take-Two Interactive’s decision to delay Grand Theft Auto VI until May 2026 has triggered a wave of activity across the gaming industry. With one of the biggest titles off this year’s calendar, rival publishers are quickly moving to lock in release dates and avoid going head-to-head with Rockstar’s blockbuster.
Analysts and industry executives told Reuters they expect a flurry of announcements soon. The absence of GTA VI from the fall lineup creates rare breathing room in an otherwise packed season.
“Publishers had delayed the announcement of the release dates of their games. Releasing after or even just before GTA VI would diminish their sales,” said Obbe Vermeij, former technical director at Rockstar Games. “Expect a number of announcements in the coming months of games that will now target fall release dates.”
Electronic Arts was the first to act, revealing just four days after the GTA delay that a new Battlefield title would launch within this fiscal year, ending in March 2026. Take-Two also plans to release Mafia: The Old Country during this window.
Titles like Techland’s Dying Light: The Beast and Embracer’s Killing Floor 3 may benefit as well, although they have yet to confirm launch dates.
The September-to-December stretch is prime time for game releases, boosted by public holidays and year-end shopping. But due to long development cycles—often five to seven years—most big games can’t shift quickly. Analysts believe this window may instead favor expansion packs, remasters, and smaller studios with games already near completion.
For major players like EA and Activision, the delay is a strategic win. Competing with GTA VI would have made a tough sales environment even tougher.
EA’s sports franchises, including FC and Madden NFL, also stand to benefit. “It does create opportunity for them to maybe further monetize their games that have a live ops component to it, whether it’s the sports games or things like Apex Legends,” said Chris Hewish, strategy chief at gaming fintech firm Xsolla.
