According to GameSpot, Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay to November 2026 has given competing studios like Arrowhead Game Studios a “stay of execution.” Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani described GTA 6’s eventual release as an event that will “blot out the sun in a way unimaginable for everyone else.” The six-month delay gives Helldivers 2 developers “another six months of uninterrupted work without GTA looming over us.” Jorjani admitted that while Arrowhead tries to ignore competing releases, “GTA has obviously been very hard to avoid.” Other industry veterans including a Saints Row developer called Rockstar “impossible” to compete with, while Hideo Kojima acknowledged “everyone would move out of the way” of GTA 6.
The GTA 6 industry earthquake
Here’s the thing about GTA 6 – it’s not just another game release. It’s a cultural moment that basically forces the entire $200 billion gaming industry to rearrange its calendar. When Rockstar sneezes, everyone else gets pneumonia. And right now, they’ve just delayed their sneeze by six months.
Think about what that means for studios with games scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026. They’ve been handed an unexpected gift – six months where they won’t be competing for attention, streaming hours, or media coverage against what will likely be the biggest entertainment launch in history. It’s like having a hurricane warning extended – you get more time to batten down the hatches.
The impossible competition
What’s fascinating is how openly developers are admitting they can’t compete. When Hideo Kojima says everyone would move out of the way, you know we’re dealing with something unprecedented. This isn’t just respect – it’s strategic surrender.
And can you blame them? GTA 5 sold over 195 million copies and generated nearly $8 billion in revenue. The GTA 6 trailer broke YouTube records. Rockstar has created a product that exists in its own category – it’s not really competing with other games so much as it’s competing with entire entertainment ecosystems.
Living in Rockstar’s shadow
Meanwhile, Rockstar itself is dealing with internal turmoil. The company recently dismissed over 30 employees amid union-busting accusations, and now 200 current workers are demanding their colleagues be reinstated. It’s creating this weird dynamic where the entire industry is simultaneously terrified of and dependent on a company that’s facing significant internal challenges.
So what does this mean for gamers? Basically, we’re likely to see a bunch of major game releases get rescheduled into that newly-created GTA-free window. The delay doesn’t just help Helldivers 2 – it helps every studio that was staring down the barrel of competing with gaming’s ultimate juggernaut. The sun will still get blotted out eventually – but at least everyone gets six more months of daylight.
