‘GTA 6’ Release Date, Features: Game May Come Out After 2022?; Modders Pranked Fans with Fake 2019 Launch Announcement

Developer Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive certainly hit the jackpot with the “Grand Theft Auto.” But they are obviously not in a hurry to release the highly anticipated installment “GTA 6” as no official word about its release has been announced yet.

The absence of a legitimate timeframe in terms of the “GTA 6” development and release was also abused by some modders recently. Earlier this month, they found a way to hack the official notification and messaging system of “GTA V Online” to spread fake news.

“GTA Online” players were shocked to see a random message saying that “GTA 6” is coming in 2019. But curious fans who are familiar with Rockstar Games’ manner of announcements were not immediately convinced.

Over a day later, the developer’s official social media support page confirmed that the “GTA 6” message was a hoax. And, still, there is no official announcement yet for “GTA 6.”

Meanwhile, fans who have been following speculations related to “GTA 6” might recall that back in December 2017, video games industry analyst Michael Pachter said the game might not be released for a few more years. Talking to GamingBolt, Pachter said he is eyeing a “GTA 6” retail launch “over/under in 2022.”

In the same interview, Pachter also implied that he is more confident in a “GTA 6” release date happening beyond 2022. The analyst took into consideration the development and launch schedule for “Red Dead Redemption 2,” another major Rockstar Games project, which is slated to come out this year.

“I say it comes out after 2022. Remember, ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ comes out eight years after the first one- so the idea that GTA 6 comes out before 2021 seems ridiculous,” Pachter further explained. “And Rockstar, the only announcements they’ve ever made more than a year before launch was because the launch itself was delayed. So best case, GTA 6 gets announced in 2020 for a 2021 release.”

If Pachter’s predictions are accurate, that means it will take almost a decade (or maybe a decade) for “GTA 6” to follow its predecessor, “GTA V Online.” And observing the “GTA V’s” performance on the market, it is safe to say that Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive do not really have a reason to rush the release of “GTA 6.”

“GTA V Online” just keeps selling after five years. By last May, the game had sold over 95 million copies worldwide.