It is understood that Sony and Microsoft are working on new console platforms–the PS6 and next Xbox–but when might they be released? According to Piers Harding-Rolls, the research director for games at Ampere Analysis, these new consoles could launch later than expected due to the GTA 6 delay. This could happen, but it’s not what Ampere expects.
He told GI.biz that the delay of GTA 6 will have a “significant impact on console sales dynamics in 2026.” This is because, with GTA 6 now coming in November 2026 instead of May 2026, console sales will be “even more back-loaded” than normal. How does the GTA 6 delay impact the next-generation console release dates? Harding-Rolls said his company is modeling the new systems to launch in late 2027, but that could change if the platform-holders want to squeeze more juice out of GTA 6.
“Might the console companies be tempted to get more from the current console generation by riding the GTA 6 wave and waiting until 2028? The fact that games are now cross-gen makes this less of a factor, perhaps, but such is the size of the GTA franchise, the launch timing will get all areas of the games business thinking about their product strategies,” he explained.
