7 Games That Kept Getting Delayed Like GTA 6
Few things unite gamers more than the collective groan when a highly anticipated game gets delayed. Behind every postponement lies a story of perfectionism, development challenges, or plain bad luck. Here are seven major titles that took the scenic route to release.
Key Takeaways
- GTA 6 has been delayed multiple times, now targeting late 2026
- Cyberpunk 2077’s disastrous launch required years of patches to redeem
- Several games spent over 5 years in development hell before release
- Perfectionism and technical issues were common delay causes
Grand Theft Auto VI
Rockstar’s GTA 6 remains one of gaming’s most anticipated titles, becoming the subject of endless “we got X before GTA 6” memes. Originally targeting 2025, the release was first pushed to May 2026 for polishing, then recently delayed again to November 19, 2026 as developers strive for perfection.
Cyberpunk 2077
Initially announced in 2012 as a revolutionary RPG, Cyberpunk 2077 faced three delays before its troubled 2020 launch. The bug-ridden release was so problematic that Sony removed it from PlayStation Store. Only after massive patches and the Phantom Liberty DLC did the game achieve its current revered status.
The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog delayed this sequel twice – first for polishing, then due to COVID-19 logistics issues. Despite spoilers leaking before its 2020 release, the game divided opinions but won multiple awards for its stunning visuals, powerful performances, and brutal realism.
Hogwarts Legacy
Harry Potter fans were disappointed when this open-world wizarding adventure, announced in 2020, was postponed from 2021 to late 2022. Warner Bros finally released it in 2023 to “ensure the best possible experience” for players.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Arriving eight years after the original, Red Dead Redemption 2’s 2017 release was delayed as Rockstar perfected their sprawling Western epic. The result became a cinematic masterpiece praised for gameplay, realism, and incredible attention to detail.
Skull and Bones
Ubisoft’s pirate adventure entered development hell in 2017, accumulating six delays. Inspired by Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, developers spent years fixing design issues before the game finally launched in 2024.
Dead Island 2
This zombie RPG represents another extreme development saga. Originally slated for 2015, it faced delays to 2016, remained in development through 2019, and finally emerged in 2023 after harsh player feedback and two studio changes, successfully keeping the franchise alive.
