GTA 6 Still Missing from 2025 Despite Major Game Reveals
▼ Summary
– Microsoft announced plans to celebrate Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026 with major releases like a Fable reboot, Gears of War: E-Day, and a new Forza game.
– Xbox’s showcase featured diverse titles, including Clockwork Revolution and Keeper, and strategic partnerships like the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld with Asus.
– Microsoft is dominating late 2025’s game release calendar with titles like The Outer Worlds 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, while other publishers remain quiet.
– Major studios like Blizzard, Bethesda, and Sony’s top developers were notably absent from recent announcements, signaling a slowdown in AAA game releases.
– The gaming industry’s pace has slowed, with top studios like Rockstar taking 5-7 years per game, reducing the hype compared to past E3 events.
The gaming landscape in 2025 is shaping up to be surprisingly light on major releases, despite a flurry of announcements during recent industry events. While Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase delivered an impressive lineup, including Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, and a new Forza title, many of these heavy hitters won’t arrive until 2026. Even with standout reveals like Clockwork Revolution and Keeper, the absence of GTA 6, now delayed until 2026, has left a noticeable gap in the schedule.
Microsoft’s strategy of leveraging its vast studio network ensures a steady stream of content, with The Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Keeper all slated for October 2025. Add Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, likely targeting November, and Xbox is effectively carrying the latter half of the year. Nintendo, as always, marches to its own beat, with Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond anchoring its lineup. Meanwhile, Sony has strategically positioned Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yōtei, and Marathon for early fall, avoiding any potential clashes with Rockstar’s juggernaut.
The delay of GTA 6 has sent ripples through the industry, prompting other publishers to reassess their release calendars. Despite speculation that EA might push the next Battlefield into late 2025, there’s been no confirmation. Capcom and Sega emerged as bright spots during Summer Game Fest, with Resident Evil Requiem and Stranger Than Heaven generating buzz. Sony’s State of Play leaned into niche appeal, showcasing Final Fantasy Tactics Remastered and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, but major studios like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Blizzard were conspicuously absent.
Ubisoft, EA’s internal teams, and Square Enix also stayed quiet, while Valve remained elusive despite fan theories. CD Projekt Red teased a new Witcher project, only to clarify it wasn’t the anticipated fourth installment. The lack of blockbuster reveals underscores a broader trend: AAA development cycles are stretching longer than ever, with studios like Rockstar now taking seven years between releases.
While this year’s showcases lacked the bombast of past E3 events, there’s still plenty to anticipate, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally has a release window, and indie gems continue to thrive. Yet, as the industry’s pace slows, the days of back-to-back megaton announcements feel increasingly distant. For now, gamers will have to settle for a more measured rollout, with 2026 poised to be the true watershed moment.
(Source: Polygon)
