Why Game Publishers Fear the GTA VI Release

A new gaming magazine for game enthusiasts has just launched. This magazine is called “The Game Business” and it focuses on gaming news for developers and publishers. The leader of this project is Christopher Dring who is also the former editor of GamesIndustry. The project also has the support of Geoff Keighley. June this year, the magazine will be hosting a B2B gaming conference in Los Angeles.

The first episode of the podcast features journalist Stephen Totilo. He and Dring discussed the impact of GTA VI on the gaming industry. Dring also spoke with top game publishers and many of them weren’t too happy about Rockstar’s new game.

Game Companies Want to Avoid GTA VI’s Release

A big publisher said GTA VI will take up too much player time. This makes it hard for other games to succeed. “We don’t want to release anywhere near GTA VI,” they said. Many companies are changing their release plans to avoid competition.

Another manager expressed that timing is a major concern. If GTA VI comes between late October and early November, it could create problems. Publishers must either release much earlier or wait until after Black Friday. Black Friday discounts could reduce new game sales.

Live Service Games Will Pause Updates

Online games will also be affected by the release of GTA VI. Some developers have hinted at delaying any big update when GTA VI is launched. Another head of a studio said they wait three to four weeks before or after the launch of GTA

“We can’t compete with GTA VI. We’ll wait and bring players back later,” another developer said.

The Fear of GTA VI Delays

Many publishers fear Rockstar may delay GTA VI. If it gets pushed to 2026, some companies might release their games in late 2025. However, if Rockstar announces a delay too late, publishers may hold back finished games. This could hurt sales and planning for the entire industry.

GTA VI is one of the biggest gaming events ever. Developers and publishers are changing plans to avoid losing players. The industry knows that when GTA VI launches, most players will be focused on Rockstar’s game. So it will only be wise for publishers not to release any new game or major update during the launch of GTA VI.