Bless your broken preorders and bruised little gamer hearts – you saw the date, didn’t you? May 26, 2026. Rockstar finally ripped the Band‑Aid off, and surprise, surprise, the new release date for GTA 6 is a full calendar year down the line. I haven’t seen a punt that dramatic since my neighbour’s daughter tried Zumba in her backyard and booted her Crocs into the birdbath.
Now, I could gloat. Oh, I could gloat harder than a sweaty teabag at a retirement home quiz night. But Granny’s not here just to cackle and clutch her pearls (okay, maybe a little). No, sugarplums – today’s column is about healing. About coping. About finding purpose in a world where GTA VI is still a mirage shimmering on the 2026 horizon.
So grab your cup of tea – we’re making a survival plan.
If you’ve never played Red Dead Redemption 2, shame on you. That game’s been sitting in your library longer than your gym membership card, and both deserve some attention. Take a slow trot through Saint Denis, pet a horse, get into a saloon brawl, and remember what Rockstar can do when they’re firing on all cylinders (and not chugging caffeine in a cubicle farm).
Also read: GTA 6 vs GTA 5: 5 major upgrades that you may see in 2026
Then there’s GTA IV – yes, it’s gloomier than a rainy Tuesday, but Niko Bellic’s existential misery pairs well with this moment of delay‑induced despair. If you’re truly brave, mod your copy of San Andreas and go full retro‑chaos. Bonus: your PC’s fans will scream less than they would with modern titles.
Now’s the perfect time to jump into other open‑worlds where developers don’t treat deadlines like horoscopes. Try Cyberpunk 2077 (it’s finally not broken!), Yakuza: Like a Dragon (crime, karaoke, and crabs – what’s not to love?), or Watch Dogs 2 for some discount‑brand tech anarchy.
Need something from the left field, a bit off-beat? Dragon’s Dogma 2 is worth considering, because it’s weirder than your uncle’s search history. Stalker 2 is also worth diving into headlong – if radioactive wastelands and philosophical dread are your vibe.
Also read: Why GTA 6 is the Make-or-Break Moment for Rockstar & AAA Gaming
If your backlog were a to-do list, it would qualify as a fire hazard. Finish Baldur’s Gate 3. Actually read those lore entries in Elden Ring instead of speed‑running into another boss fight with a stick and bad intentions.
Better yet – replay something cozy. Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer, or Dave the Diver are perfect palate cleansers. You can’t stay angry at Rockstar when you’re tending turnips or befriending talking sea creatures.
This part’s tough love, so lean in. Stop refreshing subreddit threads like they’re oxygen. Stop threatening to “never buy a Rockstar game again” – we both know that’s a lie. You’ll be camped outside the store in a lawn chair come May 2026, clutching your controller like a toddler with a juice box.
Also read: GTA 6 release date, system requirements, map, price, trailer 3 and all other leaks
But maybe… just maybe… take Rockstar’s apology at face value. They want to exceed expectations. And hey, I’d rather wait for a polished diamond than pay full price for a glittery turd. (cough Battlefield 2042 cough)
Granny’s final advice: touch grass and pixels. Start a gaming book club. Join a speedrun community. Hell, try making your own game – RPG Maker isn’t just for teens with too much angst anymore.
The joy of games was never about a single title. It’s about all the weird, beautiful, broken, joyful experiences along the way. GTA VI will come – probably in a 140‑GB download that’ll crash your Wi‑Fi and your patience. But it’ll come.
Until then, chin up, controller charged, and backlog ready. Remember, children: revenge is a dish best served with a well‑timed “I told you so.”
Granny out.
Also read: Game History Rewind: Top 5 Greatest Moments in Gaming History in June
