Rockstar is repeating history with its GTA 6 launch plan

While disappointing, the decision to delay the PC port of Grand Theft Auto VI will benefit everyone, especially PC gamers.

Rockstar Games threw ice cold water on an already extremely burned PC community in its official Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer reveal.

Following an earlier leak, Rockstar had no choice but to try and take control of the narrative surrounding GTA 6 and release the official trailer ahead of its scheduled date. Although the game's announcement was (and still is) met with much celebration, PC gamers couldn't help but feel disappointed in what Take-Two Interactive confirmed a short while later.

Rockstar's parent company confirmed that the game will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X in 2025, omitting any mention of a PC release. While this decision follows a pattern established by Rockstar that stretches all the way back to the early 2000s, it nevertheless stings for what's easily the biggest contributor to Grand Theft Auto V's 190 million-strong sales (and counting).

As previously mentioned, the pattern of delayed PC ports isn't a new strategy for Rockstar. If anything, it's a deliberate choice meant to maximize profits and minimize risks.

Grand Theft Auto 5, released in 2013, didn't debut on PC until two years later in 2015. Similarly, Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on consoles in 2018 and only made available to PC players in 2019. These precedents suggest that while GTA 6 will eventually be released on PC, it will likely be delayed until a year or two after the console release.

Rockstar's decision to delay the game's PC release could be a part of a broader financially savvy approach. Historically, a game that releases on consoles first and later on PC allows for double-dipping in sales. It's a term used to describe the act of staggering the release of games on multiple platforms to incentivize players to make multiple purchases.

GTA 5, in particular, came out on three generations of consoles and the PC. This has worked extremely well for Rockstar in the past, which would explain why it's running it back now. More importantly, this will give Rockstar additional time to refine the PC version of the game, potentially offering an enhanced experience for PC gamers.

The delayed PC release of GTA VI should only make the hype surrounding the game that much louder.

Despite all the "backlash" surrounding its PC release, or lack thereof, fans continue to enjoy replaying the official GTA 6 trailer. To date, it's become one of the most-watched videos on YouTube in its first 24 hours, on track to reaching more than a hundred million views and set a new platform record.

Going back to the topic, there has been no official confirmation from Rockstar regarding a PC version of GTA VI, but it's widely expected to arrive there eventually. The best-case scenario is that Grand Theft Auto 6 will arrive on the PC in FY2026, which falls anytime between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Given that one of Rockstar's earlier cryptic messages confirmed that GTA VI will come out on April 1, 2025, it's possible the PC port will be available just six months later.

The official GTA VI trailer confirms several things that were only "rumored" in the years prior.

The absence of a PC version at launch could be attributed to various reasons, including the desire for a smooth console launch, the prevention of early piracy, and the financial benefit of staggered releases. Rockstar's decision to delay the PC release also suggests a strategic choice to control the timing of mod releases and avoid controversies that might arise around the game's launch.

In recent years, the hardware capabilities of consoles and PCs have become more closely aligned, reducing the technical barriers to simultaneous multi-platform releases. However, Rockstar's decision to delay the PC release of GTA VI appears to be driven more by business and marketing strategies than technical considerations. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.

At the end of the day, GTA 6 needs to make the most financial sense for all parties involved. The staggered release of the game, especially with a potential release on PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox platform on the horizon, works best to extend the game's longevity as long as possible.

The best part about the official GTA VI trailer is that it still doesn't shy away from controversy, much like its predecessors.

Ultimately, while the decision to delay the PC release of Grand Theft Auto 6 may be frustrating for PC gamers, it's part of a pattern established by Rockstar Games with previous releases. The strategy allows the studio to maximize sales and refine the PC version of the game. Despite the disappointment, the excitement for GTA VI remains high, and PC gamers can look forward to eventually experiencing the game, albeit at a later date.