GTA 6’s fall launch shifts industry schedule as Death Stranding 2, Mafia drop early

With Grand Theft Auto 6 poised to take over the gaming world this fall, big studios are racing to launch their largest games before Rockstar's highly anticipated behemoth. From Death Stranding 2 to Mafia: The Old Country, a number of high-profile titles are now planned for summer 2025, as publishers don't want to compete with what promises to be the most impactful release of the year.GTA 6, announced for a fall 2025 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, is already promising to be one of the decade's biggest game launches. With Rockstar's track record for producing genre-bending open-world games, other developers are already actively shifting their release dates to stay out of the shadows.Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, developed by Hideo Kojima's Kojima Productions, has officially been dated for a June 26, 2025 release. The follow-up is already touting an otherworldly, star-packed sequel to the original's narrative and gameplay tweaks. Likewise, 2K's Mafia: The Old Country is said to be eyeing a summer 2025 launch, possibly heading back to its historical, storytelling roots.This wave of rushes during the summer season is an indication of how much GTA 6 is dominating the larger release calendar. Publishers are obviously trying to have their games reach the players before Rockstar's game necessarily takes center stage in the fall. One other significant title to be released prior to GTA 6 is MindsEye, an action-thriller from Build A Rocket Boy, the developer headed by former Rockstar veteran Leslie Benzies. The title is officially being released on June 10, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.Placed in a near-future city, MindsEye tracks Jacob Diaz as he uncovers a mystery involving a dominant neural implant. With narrative focus and AAA aspirations, the summer release of the game is a calculated move to avoid the saturation media coverage that GTA 6 will receive in the fall.This is not the first that studios have pushed timelines to fit in a high-profile release, but GTA 6's existence is unique. The magnitude of anticipation has literally paved the way for a more conservative, back-loaded 2025 slate.With anticipation reaching a record high for GTA 6, the studios are making the wise choice—backing off. By releasing their biggest titles during the summer window, developers aim to get attention while it can still be gotten. When Rockstar's title is released, little doubt remains as to where the spotlight will fall.Also Read: GTA Online weekly update (April 3–10, 2025): peyote plants return, nightclub discounts, free Sasquatch outfit & more