The Financial Impact: $10 Million Per Month?
One of the most talked-about aspects of the delay involves its reported cost. Industry insiders suggest that extending development by six months could add roughly $10 million per month in additional expenses.
If accurate, that places the six-month delay at around $60 million in extra development spending alone. When broader operational costs, staff salaries, infrastructure, and marketing adjustments are factored in, some estimates suggest the total financial impact could approach or exceed $100 million.
More aggressive projections from analysts speculate that indirect costs — including shifted marketing campaigns and delayed revenue — could push the broader financial implications much higher.
However, for Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, the calculation may be strategic rather than reactive.
A Record-Breaking Development Budget
Reports indicate that GTA 6 may already carry a production budget nearing $2 billion, making it one of the most expensive entertainment projects ever created.
Rockstar operates across multiple global studios, employing thousands of developers, artists, engineers, writers, and designers. Sustaining such a large workforce for an extended period naturally drives up monthly costs.
Despite the staggering figures, insiders suggest that the game’s core storyline and major gameplay systems are largely complete. The remaining development time is reportedly focused on refinement — an area Rockstar historically takes very seriously.
The studio built its reputation on delivering highly polished, genre-defining titles. Maintaining that standard appears to be central to this delay.
