GTA 6 Release date: Why are millions of gamers slamming the upcoming launch?

Economic Times

31-07-2025

GTA 6 is set to release on May 26, 2026, with Rockstar confirming the date on X. (Photo: Instagram/Rockstar Games)
The much-anticipated GTA 6 launch , officially scheduled for May 26, 2026, is expected to dominate headlines across the gaming industry. However, what should have been a moment of celebration has sparked dismay among millions of PC gamers globally. The exclusion of PC from the initial launch, which only includes PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, has triggered widespread backlash, particularly online, where disheartened fans are expressing their frustration, as per a report by Gaming Bible.
Rockstar Games confirmed that GTA 6 will not be immediately available for PC, a move that follows the company's earlier release models but still comes as a heavy blow to PC loyalists. Many fans, who had waited over a decade for the next Grand Theft Auto chapter, now face the reality of either purchasing a high-end console or waiting an unspecified amount of time — potentially up to a year or more.
The GTA 6 release date announcement, while celebrated by console users, has ignited outrage within PC gaming circles. One fan summed up the sentiment by writing, 'The wait is gonna be painful,' referencing a past instance when they nearly bought a console just to play Red Dead Redemption 2 . Another user went further, suggesting a boycott of Rockstar, stating: 'This ain't 2015, it's 2025. Why are we still launching games without including PC?'Some disgruntled fans went so far as to say they would resort to piracy or simply watch gameplay videos instead of purchasing a console. 'I ain't buying a console for this game,' one user commented. 'I'd rather watch my favorite YouTuber play it. It'll be spoiled all over social media anyway', as mentioned in the Gaming Bible report.
PC players also lamented the threat of unavoidable spoilers, predicting a flood of GTA 6 content across platforms like TikTok and YouTube long before they get to experience the game firsthand.
Rockstar Games' past strategy suggests a delayed PC port may deliver a superior product. Grand Theft Auto V , which launched on PC in 2015, 19 months after its initial console release, was widely recognized for its enhanced visual fidelity, smoother frame rates, and better performance.Analysts believe GTA 6 will follow a similar trajectory. Given the visual ambition seen in the trailers, with hyper-detailed scenes featuring everything from carbonation bubbles in drinks to smudged fingerprints on metal surfaces, there is reason to believe the eventual PC version will offer a graphical experience unmatched by consoles.While GTA 6 is being marketed as a generational leap in open-world storytelling and visual realism, the lack of PC support has severely dampened excitement in a major segment of Rockstar's fanbase.'Just because I spent a lot of money on a PC, I now have to wait while the entire storyline gets spoiled?' asked one player on Reddit. 'It's really disheartening when console players are openly mocking PC gamers for not getting the game at launch.'The reality is that the May 2026 release will likely be a divided experience, a triumph for console gamers, and a period of agonizing anticipation for PC users.Despite the disappointment, many remain hopeful that patience will pay off. Based on Rockstar's history, the PC version of GTA 6 is expected to feature 4K visuals, improved textures, higher frame rates, and more customization options.Gaming experts suggest that Rockstar may take advantage of the delay to further optimize performance for PC hardware, ensuring a smoother and more refined experience than what's initially available on consoles.
'Rockstar doesn't rush its PC ports,' said one industry analyst. 'If anything, GTA 6 for PC could be the ultimate edition — the definitive way to experience the game.' Yet, even the promise of better graphics cannot calm concerns over inevitable storyline leaks. In a digital age where major plot points are dissected on social media within hours of release, many PC players fear being left with a spoiled narrative before they ever get to play.'I'd rather wait and get the full experience,' said a longtime fan. 'But that means I'll probably have to log off social media for a year. That's a big ask.'With its May 26, 2026 launch, GTA 6 is poised to redefine the possibilities of open-world games. From dynamic environments to next-gen AI and unmatched detail, Rockstar has made it clear that the title is an ambitious leap forward. However, by leaving PC gamers on the sidelines, the publisher may have inadvertently alienated a substantial portion of its fanbase.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is officially scheduled to launch on May 26, 2026.
The initial launch will be limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. PC is notably excluded from the day-one release.