Take a deep breath and remember: Delays are good. While this isn't always the case, it's often true in the world of game development. Delayed projects can sometimes lead to disappointing results, but more often, the extra time results in superior quality. The meticulous attention to detail and the courage to discard ideas that don't work out are crucial in creating exceptional art. Consider how many times you've played a game that felt rushed and wished the developers had taken a bit more time to perfect it. Keep that thought in mind.
GTA 6 is delayed, and that's a positive sign. It suggests that Rockstar is committed to delivering a high-quality experience, much like their past projects. Rockstar's history of delaying games to ensure they're market-ready places them in the same league as Nintendo, known for waiting until their games are fully polished before release. And the results are consistently impressive.
As a long-time fan of the GTA series, I've experienced the games from their early days, including four-player PC LAN parties, to the most obscure titles like London 1969, and the acclaimed GTA V and Chinatown Wars for DS. These games have always been late, but never disappointing. Let's explore the history of delays in the GTA series, including some insights into Red Dead Redemption.
Grand Theft Auto III
Rockstar's New York offices were located near the World Trade Center, and in response to the September 11 attacks, Take Two decided to briefly delay GTA III. Marketing VP Terry Donovan announced the delay shortly after the tragedy, stating:
"Our decision is based on two factors: firstly, it has been challenging to work in downtown Manhattan due to intermittent communications infrastructure, and secondly, we felt it necessary to thoroughly review all our titles and marketing materials in light of the recent horrifying events in the United States."
He continued: "In reviewing Grand Theft Auto, we identified certain contextual references and gameplay instances that we no longer felt comfortable with. We apologize for the delays, but we believe you'll understand our reasoning. Rest assured, the game will be phenomenal and will hit shelves in late October."
This delay, though minimal in content changes, was a thoughtful decision that respected the sensitivity of the time and ensured a better reception for the game.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Vice City and San Andreas share the title for the shortest delays. In the era before digital distribution and day-one patches, manufacturers had to estimate physical product demand. Rockstar delayed Vice City by a week to meet the high demand for a follow-up to GTA III. Similarly, San Andreas for PS2 was delayed by a week to allow the development team extra time to polish their two-year project.
Every Celebrity in GTA: San Andreas
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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
The GTA handheld games are exceptional and worth revisiting. Vice City Stories for PSP was delayed for two weeks in North America, and longer in parts of Europe. Chinatown Wars, arguably the best GTA game (and yes, I'm ready to debate this), was released two months later than planned for the DS. Despite its delayed launch, it received widespread critical acclaim, though it didn't achieve the commercial success it deserved.
Grand Theft Auto IV
After the groundbreaking success of GTA III, anticipation for GTA IV was immense. With the shift to new consoles and the abandonment of RenderWare, Rockstar aimed high. The development process required several months of delay to realize their vision fully. As Sam Houser from Rockstar explained, "The new consoles [PS3 and 360] are allowing us to create the Grand Theft Auto game we always dreamed about. Every aspect of the game and its design has been completely transformed. The game is huge and is pushing the hardware platforms to their absolute limits. Our goal is to surpass even the wildest expectations of the game's fans and create the ultimate high-definition video game experience."
Grand Theft Auto V
GTA V, the biggest console game of all time, was initially expected in spring 2013 but was delayed until September. In late January 2013, Rockstar released the following message:
"We know this is about four months later than originally planned, and we know that this short delay will come as a disappointment to many of you, but, trust us, it will be worth the extra time. GTAV is a massively ambitious and complex game and it simply needs a little more polish to be of the standard we and, more importantly, you require. To all Grand Theft Auto fans, please accept our apologies for the delay, and our promise that the entire team here is working very hard to make the game all it can be. We are doing all we can to help ensure it will meet if not exceed your expectations come September – we thank you for your support and patience."
Their commitment paid off, as GTA V became the most successful console game ever and a crown jewel in Rockstar's portfolio.
Red Dead Redemption 2
While not part of the GTA series, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a testament to Rockstar's dedication to quality. It was delayed twice: first in spring 2017 for quality assurance, and again in February 2018, pushing the release to late October. Rockstar's statement explained the need for extra time to ensure the game's polish:
"We are excited to announce that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released on October 26th, 2018. We apologize to everyone disappointed by this delay. While we had hoped to have the game out sooner, we require a little extra time for polish. We sincerely thank you for your patience and hope that when you get to play the game, you will agree the wait will have been worth it. In the meantime, please check out these screenshots from the game. We look forward to sharing a lot more information with you in the coming weeks."
The delays were justified, as RDR2 delivered an unparalleled adventure gaming experience.
So, don't despair over the delay of GTA 6. It's a sign that Rockstar is committed to delivering an exceptional game. See you in Vice City.
