GTA 6 delay sees rival publisher pick the exact same release date for its game
Given how monumental a release GTA 6 will be, there was undoubtedly a collective sigh of relief throughout the games industry when, despite assurances that there wouldn't be a delay, Rockstar and Take-Two admitted the game will no longer launch this year.
The delay means other publishers can safely release their games throughout the autumn, and next spring, without fear that they'll be completely overshadowed. Although they will now try to avoid May 2026 like the plague, given that GTA 6 is scheduled for May 26.
One studio, however, is promising to do the exact opposite and not just release a new game within the same timeframe but purposefully make sure it's released on the exact same day as GTA 6.
Devolver Digital, which specialises in indie games like Cult Of The Lamb, Pepper Grinder, and The Plucky Squire, initially made the promise in March, posting on X: 'Gonna release a game the exact same day and time as GTA 6.'
Given the studio's reputation for mocking industry norms, as demonstrated in its yearly Devolver Direct presentations, the idea is certainly on brand, although at first it wasn't clear they'd really go through with it.
Following the news of GTA 6's delay, though, it seems Devolver is serious, posting, 'You can't escape us. May 26, 2026 it is then.'
GTA 6 is expected to be very expensive, with rumours suggesting it could be sold at £80 or even £100, especially in the wake of Nintendo and Microsoft raising the prices of their first party games. Devolver's game would undoubtedly be more affordable by comparison. More Trending
That said, GTA 6 is still GTA 6. Even non-gamers know what it is and are expected to flock to it upon launch, which the industry hopes will lead to an increased interest in gaming in general.
As for what game Devolver will release opposite GTA 6, the studio hasn't said what it is. It currently has two games scheduled for 2026 – Enter The Gungeon 2 and Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions – as well as a handful of others that currently lack launch windows.
No Brakes Games, the developer behind the upcoming Human: Fall Flat 2 (which Devolver is publishing), has already ruled out its game, saying that it will not release on May 26, 2026.
It may be that it's not actually a real game but something specifically designed for this marketing stunt, if only because Devolver don't make many of their own games – they mostly just publish other people's – and it's unlikely even an internal studio is going to want to sacrifice their chances of success for an internet joke.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE: GTA 6 fans despair as they fear second delay and long wait for the PC version
MORE: Hotline Miami Collection review – extreme handheld violence
MORE: The most exciting indie games for 2025 – from Citizen Sleeper 2 to Wanderstop
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
15 hours ago
- Metro
Nintendo has got as arrogant as Sony and it's hurting the Switch 2
A reader is deeply disappointed by the recent Nintendo Direct and suggests it's part of a recurring theme of Nintendo making a minimum effort with the Switch 2. I've been a gamer for the best part of 30 years now and for all that time Nintendo has been one of the few constants. Not in terms of success, as anyone who owned a GameCube or a Wii U can tell you, but in terms of quality, ambition, and a general sense that they're trying to do their best and move the industry and artform forwards. During the Wii U era is the only time where I've felt this attitude has wavered, although I don't really understand anything about what they were doing with that console. My best guess is they realised it was a dud from the start and were just treading water till they could get the Switch ready to replace it. One of their darkest hours but they got through it. Looking at the sales figures for the Switch 2 it is clearly the opposite of dead and arrival and yet that's kind of how it feels to me. Neither of its big games have blown me away, the upcoming line-up is weak, and the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase this week was flat out pathetic. Like many people, I started to have doubts as soon as the Switch 2 was revealed in April, when it had a bare minimum of reveals and really nothing in terms of surprises. Well, Kirby Air Riders was a surprise, but not in a good way. That Direct wasn't a disaster like this week, but it was nowhere near as slick or exciting as I expected. At first I thought it was just me being negative, but I saw lots of people saying the same thing online, that it seemed like Nintendo was caught unprepared and this was just the best they could do with short notice. Except that doesn't make sense because they were under no rush at all. They'd had more than eight years to prepare, the PlayStation 6 and next gen Xbox were not imminent, and there was no reason for them to have to release the console in June if they weren't ready. I know one theory is that they were trying to avoid GTA 6, but they would've known, like all of us, that there was no guarantee of when it was coming out (I'm also not sure Rockstar wouldn't simply have told them, if they asked) and in any case, better to delay to next year then get caught with your pants down. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. After all, they already had Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Switch 1. Add in a few more remasters and they could've easily scrapped through till next March (and ironically still missed GTA 6). We could go in circles forever trying to make sense of it but both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza feel like they were missing six months or so of polish. Everything to do with Mario Kart's open world is super weird, and they still haven't talked about any DLC plans, while Donkey Kong is good, but that camera is rough and there are few minor bugs, which I do not expect from a Nintendo game. As you can gather, I did buy a Switch 2 at launch and while I don't necessarily regret it (I have issues with most things Nintendo has done this year but I have no complaints about the hardware itself) I am disappointed and confused. I basically have no Switch 2-only games to look forward to this year, just Metroid Prime 4, and nothing at all for next year. And now I know that third party companies will not be picking up the slack. Even if I had been interested in anything shown during the Partner Showcase, which I definitely was not, hardly any of it is coming out this year anyway. I worry that this is all the Nintendo version of what's been going on at Sony this gen. It's not as bad, because Nintendo isn't interested in live service games, but it seems to be the result of games taking longer to make and being more expensive to produce. It also, and I hate to say this, smacks of Nintendo getting a touch of the old Sony arrogance. This is definitely not the Nintendo of the Wii and Switch eras, where they were on the back foot and pushing themselves to put out their best stuff, because their very survival depended on it. This is a Nintendo that is feeling pretty comfortable with itself and no longer feels it has to go all out or work to win over fans. More Trending Luckily for them, Nintendo's bare minimum is well above most other company's very best, but it's still worrying to me. My first thought was to wonder when they'll get over these launch butterflies but I then look at Sony and think maybe they never will. Maybe this is just how Nintendo is going to be now. And that's not an encouraging thought. By reader Granola The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: The Nintendo Partner Direct left me wondering: where's the ambition? – Reader's Feature MORE: Why is Sony trying to kill the concept of the video game console? - Reader's Feature MORE: The Nintendo Switch 2 is the closest thing to a modern day Commodore Amiga – Reader's Feature
Metro
20 hours ago
- Metro
Jojo Siwa accused of 'disrespecting' Eminem with new single
JoJo Siwa has come under fire from fans for her new single, which some have taken as a slight against the Real Slim Shady, aka Eminem. JoJo, 22, released a clip from the upcoming song to her social media this weekend in response to 'haters' of her recent Bette Davis Eyes cover. In a caption which accompanied the video on TikTok and Instagram, JoJo wrote: 'People had a lot to say about Bette Davis Eyes… so I started writing right away! 'New song coming soon, can you guess what it's gonna be called?🌪️💎💡' In the lyrics, the Dance Moms star raps: 'Eyes like Bette Davis. Hear my voice and you know what my name is. Wise beyond my age. That's what happens when you're little and put on the stage.' She then attracted the ire of music fans by rapping: 'Don't hate me, I'm just a lil baby,' before describing herself as 'Slim Shady.' The Eminem mention hadn't gone unnoticed by fans, many of whom took to the comments to warn her against 'disrespecting' rap icon Slim. 'Gurl, Eminem's gonna haunt you for saying that now!!😭😭😭😭' wrote sanchitha.m2009. 'Please don't disrespect Mr. Slim like that,' said 'There is NO, WAY, you just called yourself Slim Shady,' a shell-shocked noah.a0 commented. 'She did not just say slim shady but a lady…. She DID NOT just compare herself to Eminem😭😭 💀💀💀,' said moonmoss8. JoJo was broadly mocked for her cover of Kim Carnes' song Bette Davis eyes, which was released on July 11 this year. It soon became a source of comedy for the terminally online, with many describing her affected raspy vocals as something of an 'anti-smoking PSA.' 'Can we all take a moment to at least appreciate jojo's bravery for not disabling comments,' joked the user hughlingard below the video on YouTube. Still, JoJo appeared to be at least partially in on the joke, engaging in a game of Two Truths & A Lie ahead of the single's release last week. In a TikTok video, JoJo weighed in on pregnancy rumours by writing: 'Couple of things that need to be addressed, so might as well do it with 2 truths and a lie☺️ which is the lie?' As JoJo swivelled around on a chair, the song played in the background. An accompanying bit of text read: '1. I've never smoked a [cigarette] 2. I'm pregnant 3. This song comes out on Spotify Friday.' As for the pregnancy rumours? These came after fans noticed Celebrity Big Brother co-star and boyfriend Chris Hughes, 32, stroking her belly in a TikTok video. JoJo began dating the former Love Island contestant after they appeared in the CBB house together, to the dismay and confusion of fans and viewers. More Trending The pair only added fuel to the fire when JoJo split with partner Kath Ebbs after leaving the house. Since going public with their relationship, JoJo has opened up about her sexuality, telling MailOnline: 'When I came out at 17, I said: 'I'm pansexual, because I don't care [about gender].' But then I kind of boxed myself in and I said: 'I'm a lesbian.' And I think I did that because of pressure. She continued: 'In a weird way, I think it came a little bit from inside the [LGBTQ] community at times. From people I know, from partners I've had. 'You just get put in this world where you feel like, because you now have said, 'Oh, I'm a lesbian', you have to be a lesbian. And the truth is, sexuality is fluid.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Jojo Siwa's ex Kath Ebbs reveals new romance after being left for Chris Hughes MORE: Chris Hughes hits out at 'disgusting' trolling of girlfriend JoJo Siwa MORE: Chris Hughes urged to 'keep some things private' after explicit JoJo Siwa confession
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
GTA Online will add age verification to comply with UK laws claims insider
Rockstar is said to be planning an age verification system for GTA Online, with GTA 6 rumoured to be following suit for its online mode. While GTA 6 is expected to come with its own dedicated online multiplayer mode, it's currently unknown whether that will be something separate from GTA Online or just an extension of it. Will GTA Online be shut down and you'll be forced to hop over to GTA Online 2? Or is the playerbase substantial enough for Rockstar to keep supporting both? Hopefully, Rockstar will have an answer before GTA 6's launch in May 2026, although a new rumour suggests that big changes are coming to the way GTA's online features are accessed, particularly in the UK. The rumour comes from noted Rockstar dataminer Tez2, who believes they've found evidence of age verification for GTA Online within the game's files. 'Rockstar is planning to implement age assurance checks in the near future, rolling them out by region,' Tez2 writes on X. 'You may need to verify your age to access GTA Online, or certain features, like phone messages, text chat, Snapmatic, may be restricted until you verify your age.' Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Jokes aside, Rockstar is planning to implement age assurance checks in the near future, rolling them out by may need to verify your age to access #GTAOnline, or certain features, like phone messages, text chat, Snapmatic, may be restricted until you verify your age. — Tez2 (@TezFunz2) July 31, 2025 While GTA Online (and by extension GTA 5) has an age rating of 18, there is technically nothing stopping you from playing the game regardless of age, should an older relative buy it for you. However, if this age verification is implemented, adult players will need to provide proof that they are old enough to play GTA Online, while younger players would be locked out entirely. Tez2's claims sound perfectly believable considering recent changes made across the internet thanks to the UK's Online Safety Act. While a lot of focus has been on porn sites needing to ask users for their ID, social media sites have been affected too. More Trending Bluesky, for instance, now demands you either provide your credit card details or a scan of your face to send direct messages. Any businesses that don't comply with the law not only face fines from Ofcom, but also the possibility of being shut down and unable to operate in the UK. The changes have proved unpopular enough to prompt over 400,000 people to sign a petition to have them repealed, citing concerns over cybersecurity and restrictions on free speech. Rockstar has not formally commented on the matter but considering GTA Online features a lot of mature content, including an in-game stirp club, it could very well be facing pressure to comply with the UK's laws. If age verification is implemented, then GTA 6 and its online mode would no doubt have to follow suit. GTA 6 is expected to make a lot – and we mean a lot – of money when it launches and Rockstar's not going to want its game to be barred from sale in a big market like the UK. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: GTA 6 will earn a record breaking £5,000,000,000 in 60 days claims analyst MORE: GTA 6 in danger of being delayed to September 2026 claims insider MORE: Britain's most tattooed man can't watch porn under new rules because it doesn't recognise his face
