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GTA 6 rivals share release date fears as they try to avoid 'blast zone'

We already knew rivals were waiting for Rockstar Games to reveal GTA 6's release date, but now some of them are explaining the challenges of launching next to the biggest game of all time

[GTA 6 trailer screenshot]

We've had our plane tickets to Vice City purchased for years(Image: Rockstar)

Well, that was a big load of nothing. We tried to stay positive that we'd get a new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer yesterday, but perhaps unsurprisingly, an account called "ZestycloseAd6898" led us astray.

The game is still expected to launch this calendar year, but Rockstar's lack of communication has rival publishers worried to announce their own release dates.

Now, though, some publishers have spoken to The Game Business about the struggles of avoiding launching alongside GTA 6, just days after one analyst predicted some rivals will 'tank'.

GTA 6 release date has publishers weighing up delays

[GTA 6]

GTA 6 has been in the works for over a decade (Image: Still)

Rockstar games always suck a lot of money and, more importantly, time out of the market, an anonymous boss at one of the largest gaming publishers in the world said.

We dont want to be anywhere near that. We are working up multiple different plans for our titles."

Even without GTA. its immensely difficult to find free time for new games to shine. Time is the real scarcity for us, not money. Its tough out there," another senior executive reportedly said.

Another European boss of a AAA publisher said the potential for a late October/early November launch creates further problems.

"We dont want to launch just before or just after the game. If it arrives in late October, that means you either have to launch early which a lot of people seem to be doing with the recent glut of summer release dates. Or you go later, putting you up against the Black Friday sales.

If we move out of 2025, what if Rockstar do, too? Will we have time to push our game up? Or will we have to delay further? Its stressful.

[GTA 6]

GTA 6 may be the most anticipated game of all time

Existing games that are planning updates are also likely to be affected, as one developer dubbed the game a "meteor".

GTA 6 is basically a huge meteor and we will just stay clear of the blast zone, one studio boss told us. We will nudge our releases back or forward three weeks to avoid it. Of course, the problem is everyone is going to do the same.

"So three to four weeks before or after GTA 6, youre going to get a load of games dropping content in what they believe will be the safe zone.

Another said "Theres no point swimming against the current. We just need to prepare to win players back once the excitement has started to die down.

Given we're still in March and have seen some huge launches already from Assassin's Creed Shadows, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Split Fiction, this year could be one of the biggest in gaming history.

For more on GTA 6, check out why the Xbox may get a big boost from its launch, as well as everything we know about the game so far.

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