PC gamers, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, or the souped-up sports car we’re all itching to drive: Grand Theft Auto 6! Rockstar Games finally dropped the mic (and a trailer!), confirming its arrival on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in Fall 2025. And while we are happy for console players, we are more worried about PC players. And that brings the question, will GTA 6 release on PC in 2026? Well, let’s dive in together and try to find out.
What is the Speculated Release Date for GTA 6 PC?
Rockstar has already confirmed that GTA 6 will be released on consoles first. After the initial announcement, in an earnings call, Take-Two confirmed that GTA 6 will not be released on PC right away. If we’ve learned anything from Rockstar’s past grand escapades, it’s that patience is a virtue, especially for PC players. Think back to the launch of Grand Theft Auto 5. Consoles started the party in September 2013, but we PC fans had to wait until April 2015—a good year and a half!
Similar circumstances led to Red Dead Redemption 2’s October 2018 console release and November 2019 desktop debut. This pattern appears to be a well-planned strategy rather than a random occurrence. A massive player base of GTA exists on the PC platform. Rockstar will not leave its community high and dry. Since PC is not mentioned as a supported platform for GTA 6 at launch, desktop gamers will simply have to wait.
Rockstar Games’ History of PC Ports
How long, do you ask? Well, we thought the same and did the calculation ourselves. Below, you can find how long it took for GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and GTA IV to come out on PC. Based on this, we have speculated the release date for GTA 6 on PC below.
| Game | Initial Release Date | PC Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| GTA 3 | October 22, 2001 | – |
| Max Payne 2 | October 14, 2003 | – |
| GTA Vice City | October 29, 2002 | May 1, 2003 |
| GTA San Andreas | 26 October, 2004 | – |
| GTA 4 | April 29, 2008 | April 29, 2008 |
| Red Dead Redemption | May 18, 2010 | October 29, 2024 |
| Max Payne 3 | May 15, 2012 | May 29, 2012 |
| GTA 5 | November 18, 2014 | April 14, 2015 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | October 26, 2018 | November 5, 2019 |
Personally, I don’t think Rockstar will take too long to make GTA 6 for PC. Going by the past figures, we can see that PC gamers had to wait a minimum of 9 months for the GTA 4 release on PC. Speaking of GTA 5, the game was first made for PS3. Then, it was made for PS4, and then the PC version came almost two years later.
The latest example (Red Dead Redemption 2) is a good one for reference. The PC version came after 13 months. Considering the above timelines for Rockstar’s PC ports, we should assume that we won’t hear anything about GTA 6 for PC until early 2026, at the very least.
Still, a whole new console generation is not a concerning factor after GTA 6 releases on PS5 (maybe PS5 Pro) and Xbox Series X/S. Hence, by my speculation, I think we can expect the steady development of Grand Theft Auto VI for PC shortly after Rockstar releases the game on console platforms. But what do the industry insights say?
GTA 6 Might Launch in Early 2026 on PC
The grapevine has been buzzing while Rockstar is keeping their PC plans close to their chest. Notably, a VP from Corsair Gaming, Ronald van Veen, casually dropped the nugget that their understanding points towards an early 2026 PC release during an earnings call. Now, while there is no official confirmation from Rockstar themselves, this kind of insider intel often carries weight. It certainly adds fuel to the 2026 fire!
Moreover, Rockstar could work hard to optimize the next-gen GTA Online experience. By the way, Rockstar acquired RP modders as employees earlier last year to elevate future GTA Online experiences. In the end, the PC version will be quite refined too. We could even see GTA VI for PC come with exciting new features similar to the last game. There is a long wait for GTA 6 to release on the PC platform.
Is GTA 6 Coming to PC or Not?
Given the significant presence of PC gaming in the market as of 2024, Rockstar Games cannot ignore the considerable demand within the industry. However, many PC gamers doubt whether the game will eventually be released on their platform. While there might be some speculation, the game will ultimately come to PC, although not when GTA 6 is initially launched. This has even been suggested by the CEO of Take-Two Interactive.
Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has openly acknowledged this trend of PC gaming. While he hasn’t spilled the beans on a simultaneous release (much to our collective sigh), his recognition of the PC audience strongly suggests that a PC version of GTA 6 isn’t a matter of ‘if,’ but rather ‘when.’ And given their historical playbook and the industry whispers, 2026 looks like the most probable timeframe.
So, will GTA 6 grace our PCs in 2026? Rockstar’s official announcement will confirm it. The historical release pattern, logical development considerations, and even some intriguing industry chatter all point toward a 2026 arrival.
The wait might feel like navigating Los Santos traffic during rush hour, but the potential payoff – enhanced graphics, unlocked frame rates, and the glorious world of PC mods (maybe a GTA 6 metaverse) – will undoubtedly be worth it. Keep those rigs ready; Vice City might be hitting our screens sooner than you think!
What do you think of GTA 6 getting a release window of 2026 on PC? Are you getting a console, or have you already checked the GTA 6 PC requirements? Do tell us in the comments.
Source: Beebom
