Rockstar’s history of delaying games has led to some of the best titles in gaming. The company’s consistent discipline is a testament to its commitment to quality over quantity.
Grand Theft Auto III was delayed following the 9/11 attacks, allowing for a more thorough review of marketing materials and addressing contextual references that no longer felt right. This delay ultimately resulted in a phenomenal game that hit shelves in late October.
Other notable delays include Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (seven days) and San Andreas (a week), which allowed for additional manufacturing time to meet day-one demand, and Chinatown Wars (two months), which enabled the development team to iron out issues before release.
Grand Theft Auto IV was delayed due to new console generation capabilities, resulting in a massive game that pushed hardware limits. The extra time allowed for a transformed design and top-notch visuals.
The same can be said of Grand Theft Auto V, which went from an anticipated spring 2013 release to a September 2013 launch, thanks to a four-month delay that gave the team time to polish the game beyond expectations.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was delayed twice, first in spring 2017 and again in February 2018, due to quality assurance issues. The extra time allowed for polishing and refinement, resulting in an unparalleled work of art.
Rockstar’s delays may be frustrating at times, but they often pay off with incredible results. So, don’t despair – GTA 6 will come, and when it does, it’ll likely be worth the wait.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/we-shouldnt-be-surprised-gta-6-grand-theft-auto-delayed-rockstar-history