GTA 6 Pushed to 2026? Don’t Despair! 5 Open-World Gems to Play While You Wait

The Wait Just Got Longer (But Your Playlist Can Get Better!)

The news many gamers dreaded, yet perhaps half-expected, has arrived: Grand Theft Auto VI is officially delayed. The collective sigh (or maybe shout) echoed across the internet as Rockstar Games confirmed the highly anticipated title will miss its previously discussed Fall 2025 window. For a fanbase that has waited over a decade since Grand Theft Auto V redefined open-world gaming, and whose excitement reached fever pitch after the record-breaking debut trailer in late 2023, this delay stings.  

The disappointment is understandable. The hype surrounding GTA 6, fueled by leaks and that tantalizing first trailer hinting at a return to Vice City with a female protagonist named Lucia, has been immense. Rockstar Games, in their official statement, apologized for the pushback, emphasizing their commitment to quality: “We hope you understand we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve”. This sentiment reflects a pattern observed with past Rockstar releases; Red Dead Redemption 2, for instance, faced multiple delays before becoming a critically acclaimed masterpiece. Many fans, while frustrated, seem to echo this preference for a polished game over a rushed one, accepting the delay as potentially necessary for Rockstar to meet the sky-high expectations. This history suggests a level of trust built between the developer and its audience regarding the final product’s quality.  

So, while the return trip to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City in the state of Leonida is further away than hoped, this extended wait doesn’t have to be empty. It presents an opportunity to explore other vast, immersive digital worlds. The open-world genre is richer and more diverse than ever, offering countless hours of adventure. Let’s dive into the delay details and then explore five incredible open-world games that can fill the GTA-shaped hole in players’ hearts until 2026.

The Long Road to Leonida: GTA 6 Slips to May 2026

Rockstar Games didn’t just confirm a delay; they provided a specific target. Grand Theft Auto VI is now officially slated for release on May 26, 2026. This announcement came via Rockstar’s official Newswire and social channels, replacing the vaguer “Fall 2025” window provided earlier.  

In their statement, Rockstar expressed apologies for the game arriving “later than expected” and reiterated their goal to “exceed expectations”. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, publicly backed the decision. CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the company “fully” supports Rockstar taking additional time to “realize their creative vision” and remains committed to delivering a “groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience”. Zelnick acknowledged the global anticipation but emphasized a steadfast “commitment to excellence”.  

This messaging comes after a period where Zelnick had expressed confidence in the Fall 2025 timeline. As recently as February 2025, he stated feeling “really good about” the original window, though acknowledging the inherent “risk of slippage”. However, reports surfaced suggesting that developers within Rockstar were skeptical about meeting that target, with some insiders indicating the delay was seen internally as somewhat “inevitable”. This contrast highlights the complex balancing act involved in managing such a monumental project – juggling internal development realities, potentially avoiding excessive crunch , and maintaining investor confidence. The initial 2025 date might have served more as a strategic target for the market than a firm internal deadline.  

The announcement itself was notably sparse. Fans hoping for a new trailer or screenshots to soften the blow were left wanting, as Rockstar provided no new assets alongside the delay news. This “surprisingly dry” announcement led to some frustration within the community, already eager for more information after a long period of silence following the first trailer. Even Rockstar’s own website and social media banners initially lagged in reflecting the new 2026 date. This controlled information flow suggests a deliberate strategy, perhaps focusing all resources on development or saving reveals for specific future marketing beats, further adding to the game’s mystique.  

Fan reactions have been a predictable mix. Disappointment is widespread, particularly given the extended wait and previous hints at a 2025 release. Some expressed frustration, particularly at the lack of new information. Yet, there’s also a degree of resignation (“not surprising,” “seen this before”) and optimism. Many fans prioritize quality, echoing Rockstar’s reasoning. The fact that a specific date—May 26, 2026—has been given provides a concrete target, leading some to feel it’s more likely to stick this time.  

The delay’s impact rippled through the financial markets as well. Take-Two Interactive’s stock price saw a significant dip, falling nearly 7-8% immediately following the announcement, erasing billions in market capitalization. This reaction underscores the colossal financial expectations riding on GTA 6, which analysts predict could sell 40 million copies and generate $3 billion in revenue in its first year alone. Despite the dip, Take-Two reiterated expectations for record net bookings in its fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with GTA 6‘s new date falling into FY2027.  

Your Open-World Fix: 5 Must-Play Games While You Wait for GTA 6

The road to Leonida may be longer, but the journey doesn’t have to be dull. Numerous open worlds await exploration, offering diverse settings, compelling stories, and addictive gameplay loops. Here are five standout titles perfect for filling the time until GTA 6 arrives:

1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (The Rockstar Masterclass)

• Premise/Setting: Players step into the worn boots of Arthur Morgan, a loyal member of the Van der Linde gang, navigating the decline of the Wild West era in late 19th-century America. Survival, loyalty, and the changing times are central themes.  
• Why It Scratches the GTA Itch: Coming directly from Rockstar Games, RDR2 shares GTA‘s core DNA: an incredibly detailed and reactive open world, a strong narrative focus with morally complex characters, immense player freedom, and a blend of structured missions with emergent sandbox activities. The sheer depth and polish will feel familiar to GTA veterans.  
• What Makes It Different: RDR2 offers a more deliberate, slower pace than GTA, emphasizing immersion and realism. Survival elements like hunting, crafting, and maintaining the gang’s camp are crucial. The honor system deeply impacts interactions and the narrative. Its Western setting provides a stark contrast to GTA‘s modern urban landscapes.  
• Platforms & Reception: Available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It’s widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever created, lauded for its story, characters, world-building, and technical achievements.  

2. Cyberpunk 2077 (The Neon-Drenched Future)

• Premise/Setting: Immerse yourself in Night City, a vast, dangerous, and visually stunning megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and cybernetic enhancements. Players assume the role of V, a mercenary seeking a unique implant believed to grant immortality.  
• Why It Scratches the GTA Itch: Cyberpunk 2077 delivers a massive, dense urban open world ripe for exploration, vehicle acquisition (legal or otherwise), intense first-person combat (gunplay and melee), and engaging in criminal activities within a mature storyline. The level of detail and verticality in Night City is breathtaking.  
• What Makes It Different: As a deep RPG, it features extensive character customization, skill trees, branching dialogue choices that impact the narrative, and a first-person perspective. The futuristic setting, cybernetic augmentations, and focus on player choice offer a distinct experience from GTA.  
• Platforms & Reception: Available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (recommended for the best experience), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Despite a notoriously troubled launch, extensive patches and the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion have transformed the game into a critically praised open-world RPG.  

3. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (Hong Kong Noir)

• Premise/Setting: Players take on the role of Wei Shen, an undercover police officer infiltrating the ruthless Sun On Yee Triad organization in a vibrant, atmospheric recreation of Hong Kong. The narrative delves into themes of loyalty, identity, and the blurred lines between law and crime.  
• Why It Scratches the GTA Itch: It offers a compelling open-world crime narrative with driving, shooting, and a dense city filled with activities and side missions. The core loop of completing missions while exploring a detailed urban environment will resonate with GTA fans.  
• What Makes It Different: The standout feature is its brutal and fluid martial arts combat system, inspired by Hong Kong action cinema. Hand-to-hand fighting, complete with environmental takedowns, takes center stage over gunplay. The unique Hong Kong setting and the undercover cop storyline provide a fresh perspective within the genre.  
• Platforms & Reception: The Definitive Edition (including all DLC) is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Sleeping Dogs is often hailed as an underrated gem or “sleeper hit,” praised for its engaging story, satisfying combat, and immersive setting. Some users have reported stability issues when playing the PS4 version on a PS5.  

4. Watch Dogs 2 (The Hacktivist Playground)

• Premise/Setting: Set in a colorful and dynamic recreation of the San Francisco Bay Area, players control Marcus Holloway, a brilliant young hacker who joins the hacktivist collective DedSec to take down ctOS 2.0, an invasive city-wide operating system.  
• Why It Scratches the GTA Itch: Watch Dogs 2 provides a large, modern urban sandbox for players to explore freely, steal vehicles, engage in third-person shooting, and tackle mission-based objectives. Its satirical take on tech culture and Silicon Valley offers humor reminiscent of GTA‘s social commentary.  
• What Makes It Different: The core gameplay mechanic revolves around hacking. Players can manipulate the city’s infrastructure, control vehicles remotely, distract enemies, and gather information using Marcus’s hacking skills, allowing for creative stealth and action approaches. Its tone is generally more optimistic and lighter than GTA or the first Watch Dogs.  
• Platforms & Reception: Available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Watch Dogs 2 is widely considered a major improvement over its predecessor, earning praise for its fun gameplay loop, vibrant setting, charismatic protagonist, and seamless multiplayer integration.  

5. Saints Row: The Third Remastered (The Absurdist Power Fantasy)

• Premise/Setting: The Third Street Saints have evolved from street gang to household name, complete with merchandise and celebrity status. Now, they face new rival gangs in the city of Steelport, leading to increasingly bizarre and explosive confrontations.  
• Why It Scratches the GTA Itch: At its core, it’s an open-world urban sandbox focused on gang activity, driving, shooting, extensive character and vehicle customization, and completing missions within a large city.  
• What Makes It Different: Saints Row: The Third throws realism out the window, fully embracing absurdity and over-the-top fun. Expect outlandish weapons (the infamous Dildo Bat), ridiculous vehicles (VTOL jets), insane missions (like skydiving onto a penthouse while battling enemies to Kanye West’s “Power”), and a relentlessly comedic, juvenile tone.  
• Platforms & Reception: The Remastered version is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The original game was lauded for its sheer fun factor, though it marked a departure from the slightly more grounded tone of Saints Row 2, which divided some fans. The Remaster offers visual enhancements and includes all DLC, receiving generally decent reviews, though some critics noted its gameplay mechanics feel dated in places.  

Quick Comparison: Finding Your Ideal Open World

Choosing the right open-world game depends on what aspects of the genre appeal most. Some players crave the meticulous detail and storytelling Rockstar is known for, while others might prioritize unique gameplay mechanics or a specific tone. This table provides a quick comparison of the recommended alternatives:

This variety demonstrates that while GTA often defines the genre, many other titles offer compelling open-world experiences by focusing on different strengths – whether it’s Rockstar’s own brand of immersion, deep RPG systems, unique combat styles, innovative mechanics like hacking, or simply pure, unadulterated chaos. Each game offers a distinct flavor that can satisfy different cravings while waiting for GTA 6.

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Conclusion: Keep Exploring While You Wait

The confirmation of Grand Theft Auto VI‘s delay to May 2026 is undoubtedly a disappointment for eager fans. It extends an already long wait for what promises to be one of the biggest entertainment launches ever. However, the world of gaming is vast and filled with incredible adventures.  

The five games highlighted here – Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition, Watch Dogs 2, and Saints Row: The Third Remastered – represent just a fraction of the amazing open-world experiences available. Each offers a unique blend of exploration, action, and storytelling that can provide dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of entertainment. They showcase the breadth of the genre, from gritty realism and deep role-playing to stylish martial arts and pure chaotic fun.

While the wait for GTA 6 continues, exploring these other worlds is a fantastic way to pass the time. Based on Rockstar’s track record and their stated commitment to quality , the hope remains that the extra development time will result in the polished, groundbreaking experience fans anticipate. Until then, happy gaming, and keep exploring those digital frontiers.