Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
The GTA VI delay is fueling fresh debate about the new consoles there’s be released.
Rockstar’s decision to push GTA VI into November 2026 has triggered wide industry speculation, including an unexpected question raised by analysts.
Something IGN-Nordic discussed directly with Piers Harding-Rolls, Research Director at Ampere Analysis and Georg Jijiashvili, senior principal analyst at Omdia.
The discussion emerged as experts assessed how the slip affects the 2026 release calendar and potential sales performance.
Thinking aloud
Piers Harding-Rolls, research director at Ampere Analysis, suggested the delay might theoretically nudge Sony and Microsoft to rethink their hardware timelines.
He noted that GTA VI is a major engine of console sales, often lifting hardware purchases for years.
With the current forecast placing new PlayStation and Xbox consoles in late 2027, he wondered if platform holders might instead extend the current cycle to ride the incoming GTA VI sales wave into 2028.
IGN reports that analysts widely agree, that the current generation launched under unusual circumstances. COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, early hardware was difficult to obtain, prices rose, and major titles continued releasing on older systems.
Many expect GTA VI, a current-gen exclusive, to finally accelerate adoption rates.
Slower cycle
However, when the idea of a next-gen delay was put to other analysts, most dismissed the likelihood.
IGN’s reporter posed Harding-Rolls speculations for George Jijiashvili of Omdia argued that delaying hardware solely to gain marginal extra sales a year after GTA VI’s launch “doesn’t make sense,”
Adding that platform holders want customers moving to new systems as soon as possible.
He also noted Omdia already expects the PS6 in 2028, unchanged by Rockstar’s decision.
Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics agreed, saying console launches involve multi-year manufacturing, supply, and software planning that cannot easily shift without major consequences.
He also warned that tying strategy to a single title introduces risk, especially with supply chains still vulnerable and the possibility of GTA VI experiencing further delays.
Locked timelines
With a year left before the game’s release, analysts say it’s worth revisiting the question later as next-gen rumors emerge.
For now, they see little evidence that Rockstar’s schedule will dictate when new consoles arrive.
Sources: Rockstar, IGN-Nordic
This article is made and published by Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen, who may have used AI in the preparation
