The delay of *Grand Theft Auto 6* has created a ripple effect across the gaming industry, with reactions ranging from relief to bold defiance. Among those feeling a sense of optimism is Electronic Arts (EA), which sees a clearer path for the launch of its upcoming title, *Battlefield*, now that GTA 6 has been pushed back.
Battlefield’s Release Window “Clearer Than It Was Before”
During EA’s Q4 and FY 2025 Earnings Conference Call on May 6, CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that *Battlefield* is set to release in March 2026. He expressed confidence in the new timeline, noting that the game will hit store shelves two months before the now-delayed *GTA 6*. While acknowledging that shifting release dates forward to avoid major titles like *GTA 6* isn’t always feasible, Wilson felt fortunate that *Battlefield’s* schedule aligned favorably.
“Relative to Battlefield, what we have said all along is we’ve been building towards a window that we thought made the most sense for Battlefield,” Wilson explained. “But we wouldn’t launch into a window that we thought truncated the value that we’ve invested into the franchise, or the value that we think our players will derive from it once they jump in and start playing.”
With the competitive landscape now more favorable, EA feels confident about launching *Battlefield* on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC next year.
Death Stranding 2 Will Launch Regardless of GTA 6
Meanwhile, Hideo Kojima, director of *Death Stranding 2*, took a different stance. During a recent episode of the *Koji Pro* radio broadcast, he acknowledged that many studios might adjust their release strategies around *GTA 6*. However, Kojima emphasized that his team had already locked in the sequel’s release date long ago and intends to stick with it.
He noted rumors suggesting *GTA 6* would arrive in November, prompting other developers to shift their own launches accordingly—comparing the situation to the film industry’s approach to blockbusters like *Mission Impossible*. Despite this trend, Kojima remains committed to delivering *DS2* on schedule, revealing the game is now 95% complete and likely to release sooner than later.
Some Developers Avoid the GTA 6 Window — Devolver Digital Embraces It
According to reports from The Game Business Show in March, many executives are willing to move their game releases by a few weeks to steer clear of *GTA 6’s* anticipated window. One anonymous executive admitted that while shifting release dates is common, it often leads to a cluster of games dropping around the same time as others try to find a “safe zone” away from the blockbuster title.
In contrast, Devolver Digital has taken a bold stance, confirming plans to launch one of its titles on the very same day as *GTA 6*. Although the publisher hasn’t yet revealed which game it will be, potential candidates include sequels to *Cult of the Lamb*, *Inscription*, or *Hotline Miami*, or even an entirely new IP.
As the industry adjusts to the new timeline, the impact of *GTA 6’s* delay continues to shape release strategies across publishers and developers alike. With Rockstar’s open-world juggernaut now scheduled for a May 26, 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the battle for shelf space—and player attention—is far from over.
