When Rockstar Games announced earlier this year that Grand Theft Auto 6 would be delayed from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, most gamers felt disappointment.
The developers at Sucker Punch Productions, however, felt something entirely different: pure relief.
Ghost of Yotei co-creative director Nate Fox didn't mince words when asked about the team's reaction to GTA 6's delay. "We're all still hungover. Multi-month hangover. That was a great day," Fox told MinnMax in a recent interview.
Based on various other statements across the industry, the developers of Ghost of Yotei were not alone in the sentiment.
The celebration makes perfect sense when you consider the stakes. Sony had already announced Ghost of Yotei's October 2, 2025, release date back in April.
Just one month later, Rockstar dropped the unexpected news that GTA 6 was moving to next year, suddenly clearing a massive obstacle from Sucker Punch's path.
Industry insiders have described GTA 6 as gaming's first "AAAAA" title, with one veteran claiming it has the power to "blot out the sun." This isn't hyperbole.
The game represents such a cultural phenomenon that other publishers were reportedly holding off on committing to fall 2025 release dates, waiting to see whether Rockstar would stick to their timeline or push the game back.
A report revealed that rival publishers were playing a waiting game throughout early 2025, hoping to avoid the financial catastrophe of launching alongside gaming's most anticipated release.
For smaller studios, releasing within GTA 6's orbit was potentially suicidal for sales. No game has ever made the entire industry dance to its tune like this.
