GTA 6 release date delay concerns resurface after positive Max Payne remake update

Rockstar Games followers are constantly monitoring news for any hint of a GTA 6 release date update. Despite the second trailer announcing a May 26, 2026, arrival, worries about another delay persist. Now, some gamers are speculating whether an update on the Max Payne remake could influence the game.

A recent RockstarIntel article shared details of Remedy Entertainment's latest financial report. The studio behind Alan Wake and Control also discussed upcoming projects. According to the company, the remake of Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 are “tracking towards the milestone goals.”

While Remedy didn’t narrow down a release window, its “Stage Gate Process” for development provides some clues. With the remake in the works since 2024, that schedule would project a debut later in 2026. Of course, this timeline can always change with unexpected difficulties.

The implications of an earlier than expected May Payne arrival

If the Max Payne game ships in October 2026, that would seem to give the May GTA 6 release date enough breathing room. Still, fans often lament how infrequently Rockstar Games titles have appeared. In 2025, there wasn’t a single new game besides GTA 5 Enhanced for the PC. The years prior also rarely saw marketing budgets devoted to two major franchises.

With competing publishers changing their plans to avoid GTA 6, Rockstar won’t want to upstage its own game. There is also a potential next-gen refresh of Red Dead Redemption 2 on the horizon. Regardless, not all GTA devotees see the Remedy timeline as a threat.

On the GTA 6 subreddit, some posters view the financial report more positively. Retrofusion11 believes that Rockstar won’t delay the title to coincide with the holiday season, which some rumors had suggested. That said, the least optimistic gamers think that 2026 will pass without a new Grand Theft Auto or Max Payne remake.

It’s possible that the industry may receive clarification soon. Take-Two Interactive will host an earnings call on November 6th, with earlier rumblings predicting a third trailer to coincide.