GTA 6 Faced Years of Development Issues, Schreier Says

Grand Theft Auto 6 experienced several years of development uncertainty as Rockstar Games struggled to balance the realism of Red Dead Redemption 2 with the familiar gameplay of the GTA series.

Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier shared additional details about the game's development in a YouTube video accompanying his recent investigation into Rockstar Games.

According to Schreier, the project went through a particularly difficult period between 2019 and 2022, when developers were still experimenting with fundamental gameplay decisions. The uncertainty reportedly frustrated some designers, contributing to departures from the studio.

One major challenge involved GTA 6's weapon selection system.

Rockstar initially wanted a more realistic approach inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2, limiting the number of weapons players could carry rather than allowing access to an extensive arsenal.

However, that decision complicated the traditional weapon wheel interface. Developers reportedly spent months, potentially years, testing alternative layouts before deciding to retain the familiar circular menu.

Schreier also discussed the enormous scale of GTA 6's production. Some artists have worked on the project since 2015, when early map development and research into Miami began.

The game's streets are designed to be narrower and more realistic than those in GTA 5, with denser traffic intended to make driving and vehicle pursuits more challenging.

The art production management team has also expanded significantly, growing from approximately five or six people during GTA 5's development to around 65 for GTA 6.

Despite its earlier difficulties, development reportedly became more focused from late 2022 onward as Rockstar established a clearer vision for the game.

GTA 6 is currently scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.