Grand Theft Auto 5 players have been waiting for news regarding the game's upgrade for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for some time. Rockstar has been surprisingly withholding on information, however, given GTA 5's next-gen release was supposed to launch later this year. Now Grand Theft Auto 5 players have an explanation for that lack of information. In a trailer shown during Sony's PlayStation Showcase, Rockstar confirmed that the next-gen release of GTA 5 has been delayed.
The Expanded & Enhanced edition of Grand Theft Auto 5 is now officially delayed into 2022, Rockstar has now confirmed. Prior to today's confirmation, Rockstar had previously planned to release Grand Theft Auto 5 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 11. That date was repeated as recently as mid-August. The updated release window of spring 2022 means that Grand Theft Auto 5's new editions will have been delayed four additional months.
An official statement from Rockstar regarding Grand Theft Auto 5 Expanded & Enhanced's delay was shared on the studio's website after the trailer was shown. The reason why it's being delayed is simple. Rockstar says that it needs additional time for "polishing and fine-tuning." In other words, the game isn't up to Rockstar's expectations of quality and it needs some extra time to fix any remaining bugs and improve certain unfinished details.
In a move that's certain to be seen as controversial, Rockstar announced it was partnering with Sony to offer certain rewards to PlayStation gamers leading up to the new release date. PlayStation Plus subscribers playing Grand Theft Auto Online on PS4 will get a free GTA$1,000,000 gift every month until March 2022. Additionally, the standalone version of GTA Online will be available for free on PS5 for three months after it launches in March. Xbox platforms will receive no such gift.
While Rockstar doesn't expand on the benefits coming to PlayStation players of Grand Theft Auto 5, it's likely related to a previously announced benefit for PlayStation gamers. Rockstar had confirmed GTA Online would be free at launch for PlayStation Plus subscribers on PS5. With the delay, Rockstar is likely making it up to both Sony and PS Plus subscribers, offering them additional benefits.
In the meantime, Rockstar says that Grand Theft Auto 5 fans can expect to see more of the Expanded & Enhanced edition in the coming months. Today's PlayStation Showcase trailer offers just a teaser of what waits in store as part of the final version of the game.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Expanded & Enhanced releases March 2022 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.