Following the announcement that Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI will launch in May 2026, video game publishers are seizing the opportunity to schedule major releases for fall 2025, traditionally one of the most profitable seasons for the gaming industry.
The delay of the highly anticipated Rockstar Games title has opened up a coveted window for competing publishers to avoid going head-to-head with what is expected to be one of the biggest game launches of the decade. Major companies are now positioning their titles to capitalize on the absence of GTA VI from this year’s release calendar.
Electronic Arts was among the first to react, confirming that its next Battlefield installment will be released within the current fiscal year ending in March 2026. The announcement came just days after the GTA delay, signalling a strategic move to lock in a more favourable release period.
Meanwhile, Take-Two is also expected to push forward with another of its high-profile titles, Mafia: The Old Country, during the same timeframe.
Several other anticipated games, including Dying Light: The Beast and Killing Floor 3, could also benefit from the reshuffling, with fall 2025 now offering a rare window of opportunity.
The stretch from September through early December is traditionally seen as a golden quarter for the industry, bolstered by public holidays and holiday shopping. However, the long development cycles typical of blockbuster games make last-minute adjustments difficult.
As a result, this period may instead see a wave of expansion packs, remastered editions, and releases from smaller studios with games nearing completion.
For established franchises and publishers, the GTA delay could be a significant advantage. Titles like Battlefield, as well as EA’s annual FC and Madden NFL releases, now face fewer obstacles in capturing players’ attention—and wallets.
Still, the flood of new titles vying for attention in the fall could create its own challenges. With many consumers increasingly cautious about spending and competition likely to be fierce, not every release is guaranteed to benefit.
The delay has also raised broader questions about the industry’s growth trajectory heading into 2025. GTA VI was expected to generate billions in sales and stimulate console purchases.
Its absence, combined with rising console prices linked to global tariffs, could weigh on overall hardware sales.
Despite these concerns, the gaming industry has shown signs of resilience. Recent strong forecasts from key players suggest that while GTA VI may be absent, other titles could still drive momentum and help offset any slowdown.
