‘GTA VI’s Delay Is a Good Factor if it Means it will Come to Handhelds

Rockstar Games laid some unhealthy information on us simply to verify our weekend began off on the improper foot. The makers of the Grand Theft Auto sequence told customers it was delaying Grand Theft Auto VI from spring 2026 all the best way till Nov. 19 subsequent 12 months. It’s the type of delay we should always anticipate at this level for a recreation as large as this one. More than that, shoppers must be relieved. More time within the tumbler doesn’t simply imply a extra polished recreation, it might additionally assist carry the title to extra platforms—together with handhelds just like the Nintendo Switch 2.

Take-Two Interactive, the writer of GTA, shared its quarterly earnings report late Thursday. In case you have been curious, it’s nonetheless making some huge cash on Grand Theft Auto V’s multiplayer. The firm’s income was up 31% 12 months over 12 months regardless of points with Borderlands 4 at launch. But so far as GTA VI goes, CEO Strauss Zelnick told investors, “If a game requires more polish to be the best possible version of itself, then we will give that game more time.”

Zelnick added that the corporate needs to “give consumers as much certainty as possible. And again, we feel quite good about this date.” The firm additionally has to begin advertising the sport, which if you realize the online game business, is an unimaginable expense that could be a giant cause why AAA recreation budgets have ballooned to monumental proportions. Take-Two beforehand mentioned it began growth in 2020, and its general funds may be round $1 billion when all is alleged and executed. The recreation goes to wish to make again its cash, after which some, if it’s going to be successful.

To make it successful, GTA VI must be on each potential platform it may be. The Switch 2 is promoting extraordinarily properly, sufficient that Nintendo now hopes to promote much more consoles subsequent 12 months. Around the time Rockstar launched its first gameplay trailer for GTA VI, Zelnick mentioned that he “actually would fully expect to support Switch [2].” He advised The Game Business earlier this 12 months he’s a “big believer” in Nintendo’s sequel handheld. On Rockstar’s site for GTA VI, it nonetheless solely mentions PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X. Rockstar usually takes its time bringing its video games to PC a 12 months or so after a console launch. But the business is altering, and gamers aren’t so beholden to particular person consoles as they as soon as have been.

Xbox and Sony might have their very own handhelds quickly

The truth the sport runs in any respect on Xbox Series S is an indication builders have managed to chop again on efficiency to get it operating on extra restricted {hardware}. The Switch 2 is notably much less highly effective than both main console—owing to its older {hardware} equal to a PlayStation 4 Pro, however it’s additionally proved to be extraordinarily succesful with quite a few recreation ports like Cyberpunk 2077. Rumors based mostly on unnamed, unverified sources near Rockstar have indicated Rockstar is engaged on a Switch 2 port of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Plus, latest leaks have indicated Sony may very well be working by itself handheld. Dubbed Project Canis, this machine may very well be a dockable machine much like Switch 2, and capable of play all PS4, PS5, and any potential PlayStation 6 video games natively. Now, we’ve got Xbox selling units just like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld PC that’s capable of play most of its latest video games like The Outer Worlds 2 on medium settings. Xbox has each cause to try to promote this machine alongside any future Xbox cell {hardware}. With each main gaming {hardware} maker stepping into on handhelds, it solely is smart for Rockstar to push out a cell model of its video games in brief order.

Grand Theft Auto VI’s delay issues extra for the business than it does for gamers, even probably the most ravenous followers. It might fully restack the deck for anticipated releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Marvel’s Wolverine. There’s additionally the sticking level of value. We’ve already touched on analysts’ expectations that the sport might value round $100 out of the gate. We could also be higher off ready for the sport to return sooner or later. Not solely will it give Rockstar the time to shine up GTA VI, the delay may save us from much more business turmoil that may make an costly passion much more costly.