After multiple delays, the wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 is testing fans’ patience — and even worse for PC owners. The studio’s next blockbuster is expected to dominate the holidays when it launches this November, but one big question. Why is Rockstar Games delaying the GTA 6 PC launch and not releasing it alongside PS5 and Xbox? Apparently, according to series publisher Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, the answer is surprisingly simple.
Speaking with Bloomberg, Zelnick made it clear the decision has nothing to do with marketing deals, technical issues, or even sales projections. It all comes down to Rockstar’s long-standing philosophy about where its biggest games should begin.
“Rockstar always starts on console because I think with regard to a release like that you’re judged by serving the core,” he explained. “Like really serving the core consumer. If your core consumer isn’t there, if they’re not served first and best, you kind of don’t hit your other consumers.”
Zelnick also dismissed the idea that deals with first-parties like Sony are behind the delay. “[…] historically Rockstar’s gone to console first,” he added.
However, Zelnick might have referred to the 3D-era of the series. After all, the original Grand Theft Auto actually launched on PC first in November 1997 before arriving on PlayStation shortly after. Meanwhile, GTA 2 arrived on PC and PlayStation around the same time in 1999. It wasn’t until GTA 3 in 2001 that the staggered rollout became the standard.
You could argue the first GTA still falls under the BMG Interactive era, but Rockstar Games has practically taken shape by GTA 2 anyway… though I digress.
Still, part of the reasoning behind GTA 6‘s PC delay may come down to sheer scale. Zelnick emphasised just how expensive these games have become, reinforcing why Take-Two prioritises a focused, high-impact launch.
“Development costs have gone up and up. And we really do aim to deliver the highest quality entertainment on Earth. And that is costly. And AI influence is not withstanding. We haven’t seen those costs decline yet. Maybe we will. Maybe we won’t,” he added.
While Zelnick made no mention of it, leaked GTA Online revenue may also hint at why consoles still come first. The figures suggest PS5 leads with around 3.4 million weekly players and roughly $4.4 million in revenue, followed by PS4 and Xbox platforms. PC, meanwhile, trails last with under 900,000 players and about $264,000 in weekly bookings.
That said, Zelnick might’ve agreed that that decision carries risk. He himself noted that PC versions of a ‘big title’ can account for up to 50% of sales. Obviously, holding that audience back could limit paying customers. On the other hand, it may also create a second wave of hype when the PC version eventually arrives.
For now, though, Take-Two seems comfortable rolling the dice. “We’ll see how it works out,” responded Zelnick to that idea.
