Sony and Microsoft may delay their next-generation consoles as they seek to capitalise on expected demand driven by Rockstar Games’ upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, according to industry analysts. The forecast follows Rockstar’s decision to shift the game’s launch into the 2026 holiday period, a move that could reshape hardware strategies across the sector.
Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games research at Ampere Analysis, told GamesIndustry.biz that the late arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI could influence the timing of successor devices. He said Ampere’s baseline assumption still places new consoles in late 2027, but added that “the late arrival of GTA 6 could reshape hardware timing,” potentially pushing device launches into 2028.
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Analysts say the game’s November 19, 2026 release creates a surge in demand toward the end of that year, altering expectations for both 2025 and 2026. Companies may look to extend the commercial life of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S through bundles and marketing opportunities tied to the title, reducing the need to introduce new hardware in the near term.
Industry researchers note that platform transitions involve coordination with chip suppliers, manufacturing partners and software teams, making any schedule shift costly but feasible. Ampere’s models point to late 2027 as a default cadence, but if Grand Theft Auto VI continues to lift console sales into 2027, both platform holders may opt to delay launches further to maximise revenue.
See also: Rockstar Confirms GTA 6 Delayed to November 2026 Amid Staff Protests
For consumers, analysts say no immediate announcements are expected and any change would appear gradually through revised forecasts rather than abrupt roadmap updates. Observers also caution that the scenario remains speculative. As the report notes, this is still a rumour, and any decision from Sony or Microsoft would likely emerge through measured adjustments in marketing plans, chipset timing and promotional bundles.
Source: GameRant, GamesIndustry