GTA 6 might be the biggest game of the decade, but Devolver Digital isn’t flinching. The indie publisher has confirmed it still plans to launch a new game on May 26, 2026—the same day Rockstar’s long-awaited title hits consoles.
Devolver locks in its GTA 6 challenge
Back in March, Devolver made waves by promising to drop a game on “whatever day GTA 6 launches.” After Rockstar confirmed the May 2026 release, Devolver doubled down: “You can’t escape us,” it wrote. The exact title remains under wraps, but fans are already speculating. Possibilities include a follow-up to Enter the Gungeon or even a surprise Hotline Miami sequel.
GTA 6 has entered its final testing phase! The highly anticipated game has been fully playable since the release of the trailer.
Going head-to-head on purpose
Most studios go out of their way to avoid clashing with massive releases like GTA 6. But Devolver’s not most studios. The company has a history of irreverent marketing and offbeat hits. Their approach here calls back to 2020, when Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on the same day—and both thrived. Devolver may be looking to recreate that kind of cultural clash.
Why this move could work
GTA 6 is expected to release first on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. That gives Devolver an opening: their mystery title is almost certainly headed for PC. With no PC launch for GTA 6 on day one, Devolver could capture attention—and sales—on that platform.
There’s also an audience for smaller, tightly made games that don’t require 100-hour commitments. Devolver has succeeded with this crowd before, with titles like Cult of the Lamb, Inscryption, and Death’s Door drawing strong followings. Going up against GTA 6 might be less reckless than it looks.
Playing to their strengths
Devolver isn’t trying to outgun Rockstar. They’re leaning into what they do best: fast-paced, weird, creative games that grab headlines and build cult audiences. Launching on the same day as a juggernaut doesn’t mean they’re competing in the same lane—it just means they’re not afraid of traffic.
They’re also great at using moments like this for visibility. By tying themselves to the GTA 6 release date, they’ve already ensured press coverage, meme potential, and a slice of the conversation—before even revealing the game.
Not backing down
Plenty of publishers would have blinked. But Devolver is sticking to the plan, betting that their audience wants something different from what Rockstar’s offering. Whether it’s a top-down shooter, a bizarre puzzle platformer, or something completely unexpected, they’re showing confidence in their ability to stand out.
Sometimes, launching next to a giant is the boldest move of all.
