The news is out: GTA 6 will not be released in 2025. After months of speculation, Rockstar Games announced that it is postponing the release of its next open-world giant until 26 May 2026. For the industry, this is more than just a change of date. When a title of this magnitude disappears from the schedule, it changes the entire dynamic of a gaming year.
Numerous studios had aligned their releases with the original GTA window. Some deliberately held back their games, while others sought to distance themselves from the brand’s dominance. Now that the space remains empty, new opportunities are opening up. Games that have flown under the radar could take centre stage.
Genres that would otherwise have had little chance of visibility are getting more space, and publishers are being forced to rethink their strategies. This article takes a look at the titles that could now be in the spotlight in 2025, the studios that are reshuffling their cards, and an industry that is once again reinventing itself on the fly.
GTA 6 is significantly delayed and the industry is reacting nervously
No one is surprised anymore that Rockstar is taking its time. What is more unexpected is the extent of the delay. Internal reports speak of a release date of 26 May 2026. Although there has been no official confirmation, the trend is clear. Rockstar doesn’t just want to release a good game.
The plan is to set standards, exceed expectations and outperform all the competition. The fact that a studio of this size is voluntarily withdrawing from the strongest sales quarter of the year shows how much emphasis is being placed on long-term impact.
In any case, the new trailer for GTA VI promises an epic new game, as the following video shows:
It’s about more than technical finesse. Avoiding crunch, a clean launch and careful staging of every detail are also part of it. That takes time and significantly changes the dynamics in the market, because the 2025 Christmas season was actually reserved for a monumental launch.
Many publishers had coordinated their titles accordingly. Some projects were postponed as a precaution or not even planned for this year. The announcement is now shaking up this rigid planning. Studios are rethinking their strategies.
Marketing departments are reanalysing, and while investors nervously await reactions, opportunities are emerging that would not have existed without this postponement. A race without a clear favourite is beginning, and that is precisely what makes the situation so exciting.
Which games could now step into the spotlight?
With the heavyweight contender missing, attention is turning to titles that were previously considered second-tier. Some of them could now shine because they no longer have to compete against a giant. In addition, this could be the year of casual games such as those found at slotozen casino review, as these are on the rise anyway.
Games on smartphones and tablets have long since overtaken console and PC versions because they are accessible to many more people. Expectations are shifting and public interest is spreading more widely. In this open playing field, even well-known series can surprise us again.
Assassin’s Creed Witch, for example, leaves the familiar paths of the series and focuses on a dark scenario within the Holy Roman Empire. Witch hunts, occult elements and a dense atmosphere could help Ubisoft break away from its own franchise standard. The decision to make this chapter part of Assassin’s Creed Infinity is also likely to lead to new technical approaches. Visually and narratively, the setting is certainly strong enough to impress without any competitive pressure.
Capcom is bringing back Monster Hunter Wilds, a series that is already performing strongly. The new instalment is set to be not only more extensive but also more accessible. This combination will fall on fertile ground in 2025. Especially in the West, where Capcom’s series has gained enormous popularity in recent years, the potential is huge and the timing could hardly be better.
Well-known studios and game series
Hideo Kojima returns to his complex story universe with Death Stranding 2. The first instalment was experimental and divided gamers, but it is precisely this idiosyncrasy that could help the sequel establish itself as a style icon in a year without any super blockbusters. The visual presentation, soundtrack and unusual gameplay mechanics create a unique selling point that could have a particularly strong impact in 2025. Those hoping for narrative depth and creative abysses could find what they are looking for here.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is also theoretically ready. Long in development, often delayed, but with potential. BioWare will have to show whether it remains true to its role-playing roots while delivering enough fresh ideas. The fan base is there, expectations are high, and the market is ready for a classic story-driven RPG without live service baggage.
Then there’s Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second part of which will be released in 2024. A possible DLC or even the third part could be released towards the end of 2025 and bring Square Enix back into the conversation. Here, too, the gap in the calendar gives even complementary content more relevant than it would have in a packed year.
These titles not only benefit from greater visibility, but also from the fact that players are more open to alternatives. Without the dominance of GTA, there is room for curiosity, and it is precisely this curiosity that will be a decisive factor in 2025.
Games that may be brought forward due to Rockstar’s withdrawal
Rockstar’s decision is not only causing reactions, but also strategic rethinking. Some publishers are already looking into whether they can bring forward projects from 2026. Studios with modular production processes or prototypes that are already well developed could particularly consider this step.
Ubisoft, for example, has proven in the past that short-term postponements or bring-forwards are possible. A new Far Cry spin-off or a fresh Ghost Recon scenario would be conceivable. The series has established mechanics that, with the right polish, would work even without years of lead time. The risk of a technical flop is also more calculable than with completely new IPs.
Electronic Arts also has several brands up its sleeve. Another game in the Star Wars Jedi universe could suddenly become a priority. Or a new Battlefield attempt could be developed quickly to secure the freed-up time slot. With its sports game expertise, EA in particular could also tap into niches that are otherwise overlooked.
The following list shows the titles that could be in focus in 2025:
- Assassin’s Creed Witch
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Death Stranding 2
- Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (DLC or Part 3)
- Far Cry (new instalment, Ubisoft)
- Ghost Recon (new instalment, Ubisoft)
- Star Wars Jedi (possible successor, EA)
- DOOM (new project, Bethesda)
- Dishonored (new project, Bethesda)
- Hades 2
- New IPs (e.g. at Gamescom or Summer Game Fest)
From Nintendo to Xbox: Which exclusive titles could surprise us in 2025?
Without a cross-platform mega title, the battle between console manufacturers will once again take centre stage, and each platform could deliver its own answer to the vacant spotlight. Exclusive titles will not only gain more visibility in 2025, they could even help determine the direction of the market this year.
Nintendo plays by its own rules anyway. If the successor to the Switch does indeed appear in 2025, Metroid Prime 4 would be a strong launch title. New projects in the Mario or Zelda universe are also not out of the question. Experience shows that when Nintendo delivers, it does so calmly and with maximum effect. Especially at the launch of new hardware, this could change the entire dynamic of the gaming year. In the Xbox sector, we’ll see another DOOM or a new Dishonored. Microsoft could use 2025 to make Game Pass more attractive again with big first-party productions.
Sony, on the other hand, is not relying solely on Death Stranding 2. Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio and Sucker Punch have been working on unannounced projects for years. A new Uncharted, a Ghost of Tsushima 2 or even a completely new title could surprise us in 2025. Sony in particular loves to crown showcases with unexpected highlights.
Will 2025 be a stage for surprises, comebacks and indie hits?
The big void doesn’t just affect the AAA front. Indie studios and smaller projects will also gain more visibility in 2025. Where less bombast dominates, creativity can more easily shine through. Retro comebacks could become relevant again. Franchises such as Splinter Cell, F-Zero and Resistance have a fan base that is just waiting for the right timing. Should any of these projects return in 2025, they will find a receptive audience.
At the same time, the influence of the indie scene is growing. Games such as Hades 2 could be among the most talked-about titles in 2025. Other indie developments that stand out for their creative mechanics or bold stories will also be easier to discover.
The big shows of the year, such as Gamescom and Summer Game Fest, are likely to have significantly more surprises in store. Without GTA as a fixed point, there is more room for new names and fresh ideas. 2025 could turn out to be the year when experiments finally get the stage they deserve.
How publisher strategies are changing as a result of the postponement
When a giant like GTA leaves the stage, everyone else has to redefine their position, and that applies above all to the way games are marketed. Marketing campaigns are being postponed or expanded. Announcements could be placed more strategically to take advantage of the gap that has emerged. Publishers are considering no longer holding back their content, but presenting it more aggressively.
Platform operators are also rethinking their plans. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo could adapt their showcases to draw as much attention as possible to their titles. Those who appear at the right time will secure the headlines. The dynamics are even changing for pre-order campaigns. If the competition is not as fierce as usual, special editions and bonus content will once again become stronger selling points.
Ultimately, 2025 is a year without a fixed narrative. Everything is open. Those who dare to act agilely can turn uncertainty into a real advantage. It is not a year of certainty, but a year of opportunity.
