Rockstar ‘Confident’ GTA 7 Won’t Take Another Eight Years

Rockstar Games’ leadership is “confident” that future titles won’t take as long to develop as GTA 6, according to Rock Paper Shotgun. This statement comes just under eight years after the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 on October 26, 2018.

Rock Paper Shotgun points out that Rockstar made similar promises regarding efficiency during the development of RDR2, but the outcomes didn’t quite match expectations. The time gap between RDR2 and GTA 6 marks the longest in the studio’s recent history.

The track record problem

This timeline explains the doubts. GTA 5 came out in September 2013, and RDR2 followed about five years later. Now, with GTA 6, that gap has nearly stretched to eight years between major titles from Rockstar.

A quicker turnaround for GTA 7 would change that trend. However, Rockstar hasn’t provided a specific timeline or detailed any process changes that would help achieve this. Saying they’re “confident” feels more like an intention than a concrete schedule.

RDR2 illustrates why making efficiency promises is tricky. The game earned a 96 on Metacritic and boasts a 92% positive rating from 336,463 Steam reviews. Fans and critics appreciate that level of polish, but achieving it takes time and resources.

Back catalog stays busy

Even after eight years, RDR2 continues to sell well. It’s listed at $14.99 on Steam and currently has 21,856 players online. This ongoing success reduces the commercial pressure on Rockstar to rush out new games, keeping their older titles relevant.

In a separate note, a report from October 2026 indicates that Rockstar may be considering PS5 remasters of RDR2 and GTA 4. We haven’t verified this independently, and Rockstar hasn’t confirmed any such projects. If true, these remasters could help bridge the gaps between original game releases, alleviating some pressure on development timelines.

By The Numbers

Red Dead Redemption 2 release date	October 26, 2018
Metacritic score	96
Steam reviews	92% positive (336,463 reviews)
Current Steam price	$14.99
Current Steam players	21,856

Community Pulse

The community remains mostly positive about RDR2. Players often mention its expansive scope as a reason for the long wait. As one Steam reviewer noted, the game “has a fantastic story that does an excellent job of drawing you in and keeping you invested.” This kind of feedback helps explain why fans are willing to wait long periods and why a quicker release schedule must still maintain the quality that made RDR2 a success.

What To Watch

• Concrete process changes: Watch for Rockstar to clarify how they plan to shorten development time—whether through tools, team structure, or project scope—rather than just repeating broad promises.
• Post-launch GTA 6 plans: Observing how Rockstar supports GTA 6 after its launch will reveal if they shift staff to the next project sooner than they did after RDR2.
• Remaster announcements: Official confirmation on the rumored RDR2 and GTA 4 PS5 remasters would indicate how Rockstar aims to fill the time between their major releases.