Why Rockstar Keeps Making PC Gamers Wait — And GTA 6 Is No Different

The hype train for GTA 6 is officially off the rails and let’s be real, we’re all aboard. Trailer 2 just dropped, and while it gave us even more jaw-dropping visuals and a deeper peek into Vice City’s neon-soaked madness, one thing was glaringly missing: any mention of a PC release.

Yep, you read that right. GTA 6 is currently only confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. And for us PC players? Nada.

If you’ve been around the Rockstar block long enough, this probably feels like déjà vu. So why does Rockstar keep snubbing the PC crowd at launch? And what does the absence of a PC release in Trailer 2 actually mean?

Rockstar’s Not-So-Great History With PC Ports

Rockstar Games has a long history of delaying their titles on PC, almost like it’s part of their launch strategy. GTA V, for instance, launched on consoles in September 2013 but didn’t make its way to PC until April 2015 — a whopping 19 months later.

Same story with Red Dead Redemption 2. Console players saddled up in October 2018, while PC gamers had to wait until November 2019. And don’t even get us started on the original Red Dead Redemption — it still hasn’t officially come to PC, even over a decade later.

Why the Delay?

There are a few reasons Rockstar might be holding back:

1. Optimization Headaches: PC comes in all shapes and specs. Consoles are easier to optimize for because every PS5 and Xbox Series X runs on the same hardware. With PC, Rockstar would need to account for hundreds of combinations, CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and more.

2. Focus on Console Sales: Let’s face it, console players are the first wave. Launching on PS5 and Xbox first helps Rockstar rake in massive sales before dealing with the technical chaos of PC.

3. Anti-Piracy Strategy: PC piracy has always been a concern. A delayed PC launch gives Rockstar time to set up stronger DRM protections or at least enjoy a piracy-free honeymoon period on consoles.

The Community Reaction

As expected, PC gamers are not taking it well.

Reddit is full of memes, rants, and long threads dissecting every frame of the trailer looking for hope. Some fans are clinging to Rockstar’s vague "future platforms" language, hoping that PC is just being saved for a later announcement. Others are just flat-out furious, especially those with high-end rigs ready to run Vice City at 4K/120fps.

And honestly? The frustration is fair. PC gamers aren’t asking for a freebie, just a seat at the launch party.

Rockstar games - GTA6

So… When Will GTA 6 Come to PC?

Our best guess? Late 2026 or early 2027. If Rockstar follows its usual pattern, we’re looking at a delay of at least 12–18 months post-console release (which is currently scheduled for Fall 2025).

The silver lining? When it does land on PC, it’s likely to be the definitive version, higher resolution, mods, enhanced graphics etc. But yeah, the wait is going to sting.

As a longtime Rockstar fan and PC gamer, it’s tough to see history repeating itself. But it’s also not surprising. Rockstar plays the long game, and for better or worse, it’s worked for them so far.

Still, here's hoping they throw us a bone soon. Because if there’s one thing we know, it's that GTA 6 on PC is going to be worth the wait, even if it takes a little longer to get behind the wheel.