Key information
Rockstar Games initially intended to develop GTA 6 alongside Red Dead Redemption 2, according to a Bloomberg report. Rob Nelson, co-director of Rockstar North, stated that the immense ambition required for Red Dead Redemption 2 necessitated the team's full attention, pushing GTA 6 into the background.
This shift in focus allowed GTA 6 to incorporate systems and concepts from Red Dead Redemption 2, such as the NPC interaction mechanics. While the original plan might have enabled a release early in the 2020s, the eventual development path significantly extended the production timeline.
Research and planning for GTA 6 began as early as 2014, with teams conducting field research in Florida throughout the late 2010s. However, the project lacked a defined narrative structure until late 2019, following the release of Red Dead Redemption 2.
The project faced various hurdles, including pandemic-related productivity drops, leaks, and internal restructuring. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, was reportedly surprised by project delays, though Rockstar leadership noted he remained understanding regarding the necessity of additional development time to avoid releasing an unpolished experience.
