GTA 6 delay opens door for long-awaited GTA IV remaster, insider claims

Rockstar Games' recent announcement of a GTA 6 delay has rekindled rumors of what the developer will eventually release in the meantime. While fans now have to wait until May 26, 2026, to visit Vice City again, one of the most prominent industry insiders is advising that Rockstar could perhaps bridge the gap with an expected GTA IV remaster, possibly releasing before the end of the year.As per trusted leaker Tez2, Rockstar could take advantage of the time between GTA 6's release by dropping a remastered version of Grand Theft Auto IV. The insider posted that work on the remaster had been ongoing for at least a year and teased a potential release window later in 2025.This argument becomes more plausible when coupled with Rockstar's recent shut-down of the Liberty City Preservation Project (LCPP), a fan-made mod that remade GTA IV's Liberty City within GTA V. Tez2 pointed out this action may be an indication of Rockstar's desire to restore Liberty City via an official remaster instead of letting third-party reinterpretations succeed.Initially released in 2008, GTA IV had been acclaimed for its gritty storyline and realistic atmosphere. A remastered release on current consoles would probably include graphical improvements, better gameplay, and perhaps new content, a pleasant diversion for fans getting restless over GTA 6's lengthy development period. Tez2 also theorized that the GTA IV remaster might be part of a larger post-pandemic plan Rockstar mapped out years earlier. That involves possible ports of other legacy games such as Max Payne 3, which would possibly come after the GTA IV release. These steps would assist Rockstar in sustaining momentum and fan interest while refining GTA 6 for next-gen systems.The firm has yet to officially announce any such intention for a remaster of GTA IV, but its recent activities indicate a measured effort to bring back previous games in revised format, something it has previously done for the GTA: Trilogy – Definitive Edition.While the delay of GTA 6 would be disappointing to excited fans, the potential release of a GTA IV remaster can offer a silver lining. If Rockstar does return to Liberty City, it can act both as a nostalgic visit and a strategic choice to keep gamers engaged until GTA 6 eventually releases in 2026.Also Read: GTA 6 trailers: Full breakdown of story, characters & what we know so far