Rockstar says GTA 6 wasn't finished by crunching, and the next game will be faster
Rockstar executives went on the record about crunch, the Project Americas origins and how long the next game will take. Here's what was said, and what wasn't.
Rockstar's leaders say GTA VI was not finished by crunching, and that the next game should arrive faster. In interviews published around October 14–15, 2026 alongside Bloomberg's feature on the game's making, executives discussed crunch, delays and the project's origins. Coverage by GamesRadar+, Eurogamer, PC Gamer and The Verge is consistent on the main points.
On crunch
Rockstar's publishing lead said that after Red Dead Redemption 2's punishing development, leadership told the team the new game would not be finished by crunching. She admitted the result is not perfect but said it is better than Red Dead 2 was. That is a company statement, not an independent finding: outlets note that employees alleged in July that crunch is built into working life at the studio. Treat both as claims.
Project Americas and the delays
Rockstar confirmed GTA VI started as Project Americas, a far larger concept covering big swaths of North and South America, later scaled back to the Leonida setting. Executives pointed to finishing Red Dead 2 first, the scope of the world and the pandemic as factors behind the long road, and PC Gamer highlights that the sheer number of NPCs and the writing needed for them contributed to the delay. For the numbers from the feature itself, see our Bloomberg report takeaways.
The next game
Co-head of development Phil Hooker said the tools, technology and experience built for GTA VI mean future games can get going much faster, which is why the headline “we might not wait 13 years” is circulating. Nothing about a next game has been announced, so this is intent, not a schedule.
What's next
Launch is November 19, 2026; see the release date guide and the Leonida map and characters guide.
MAX WANTED is an independent fan site, not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two.
FAQ
Did Rockstar say there was no crunch on GTA 6?
Not exactly. Executives said they decided not to finish the game by crunching and that it's better than Red Dead 2, while conceding it hasn't been perfect. Employees alleged in July that crunch is common at the studio.
Will the next Rockstar game take as long as GTA 6?
Rockstar leaders say no: GTA VI's tools and technology should let future projects get off the ground faster. No next game or date has been announced.
What was Project Americas?
The original codename and larger scope of the project that became GTA VI, according to the Bloomberg-linked interviews. The finished game focuses on the Leonida state and Vice City.
Sources
- GamesRadar+ — Rockstar vowed GTA 6 wouldn't be finished “by crunching” (Oct 15, 2026)
- Eurogamer — GTA 6 was originally Project Americas (Oct 14, 2026)
- PC Gamer — GTA 6 was delayed partially because of the amount of NPCs (Oct 14, 2026)
- The Verge — We might not have to wait 13 years for the next GTA (Oct 14, 2026)
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