Take a deep breath and remember: Delays are good.

OK, that statement isn’t *always* true, but it usually is. While delayed projects can sometimes result in disappointing outcomes, taking more time often leads to superior results. Meticulous attention to detail and the courage to discard ideas that don’t pan out are crucial in art. Think about the half-finished games you've played and wished had been delayed until they were truly ready. Keep that thought in mind.

GTA 6 is delayed, and that’s good, because it will likely be better for the delay.

Rockstar has a long history of delaying games to ensure they’re market-ready, aligning them with an elite group of studios like Nintendo that prioritize quality. This discipline has consistently resulted in exceptional games.

I’ve been a fan of GTA games since their inception, from four-player PC LAN parties to playing the most obscure titles like London 1969, the acclaimed GTA V, and the underrated gem Chinatown Wars on the DS. These games have always been delayed, and not coincidentally, they've always been great. Here’s a look at every delay in GTA history, including some from Red Dead.

Grand Theft Auto III

Rockstar’s New York offices were located near the World Trade Center, and following the September 11 attacks, Take Two decided to delay GTA III. Marketing VP Terry Donovan announced the delay shortly after the tragedy:

"Our decision is based on two factors: firstly, it has been challenging to work in downtown Manhattan over the last week due to intermittent communications infrastructure. Secondly, we felt it necessary to review all our titles and marketing materials in light of the horrifying event we witnessed. As for Grand Theft Auto, since the game is extensive, the review is time-consuming. We've identified certain contextual references and gameplay instances that we're no longer comfortable with. We apologize for the delays, but we're confident you'll understand our reasoning. Rest assured, the game will be phenomenal and hit shelves in late October."

Even with minimal content changes, the delay was a wise decision for both Rockstar and players. Releasing a game involving violence against emergency services so soon after 9/11 would have been inappropriate.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Both Vice City and San Andreas experienced brief delays. In the era before digital distribution and day-one patches, manufacturers had to estimate production quantities. Rockstar delayed Vice City by a week to meet the demand for more physical copies.

San Andreas for PS2 was also delayed by a week, a strategic decision to give the development team extra time to polish their two-year project.

Every Celebrity in GTA: San Andreas

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

The GTA handheld games are exceptional, worth revisiting on your old PSP or DS. While most arrived on time, Vice City Stories for PSP was delayed for two weeks in North America and longer in parts of Europe.

The critically acclaimed Chinatown Wars for DS, which many consider the best GTA game, was delayed by two months. Despite its acclaim, it didn't sell well, which is a tragedy considering its potential for a sequel on future consoles.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

After GTA III revolutionized gaming, anticipation for GTA IV was immense. With a new console generation and a departure from RenderWare, Rockstar Leeds aimed high. Achieving their vision required several months of delay.

Sam Hause from Rockstar explained, “The new consoles [PS3 and 360] are enabling us to create the Grand Theft Auto game we always dreamed about. Every aspect has been transformed. The game is pushing the hardware to its limits, with top engineers from Sony and Microsoft assisting our team in Edinburgh. Our goal is to surpass the wildest expectations of our fans and create the ultimate high-definition video game experience."

Grand Theft Auto V

The biggest console game ever, GTA V, was initially set for a spring 2013 release but launched in September. In late January 2013, Rockstar released a message stating:

“We know this is about four months later than originally planned, and we know this short delay will disappoint many of you. However, trust us, it will be worth the extra time. GTAV is a massively ambitious and complex game that needs a little more polish to meet the standards we and, more importantly, you require. To all Grand Theft Auto fans, please accept our apologies for the delay, and our promise that the entire team is working hard to make the game all it can be. We are doing all we can to ensure it will meet, if not exceed, your expectations come September – we thank you for your support and patience.”

Their promise was fulfilled, as GTA V became the most successful console game ever and a jewel in Rockstar’s crown alongside RDR2.

Red Dead Redemption 2

While not part of the GTA series, Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar’s best game and deserves mention. Following tradition, it was delayed twice: first in spring 2017 for quality assurance and again in February 2018, pushing its release to late October. Rockstar’s statement explained:

"We are excited to announce that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released on October 26th, 2018. We apologize to everyone disappointed by this delay. While we had hoped to release the game sooner, we require a little extra time for polish. We sincerely thank you for your patience and hope that when you play the game, you will agree the wait was worth it. In the meantime, please check out these screenshots from the game. We look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming weeks."

These delays, like all others mentioned, resulted in a masterpiece that remains unparalleled in adventure gaming.

So, don’t despair. GTA 6 will come, and when it does, it will almost certainly be very, very good. See you in Vice City.