Despite the lack of an official announcement, avid gamers have restlessly been waiting for the launch of "GTA VI," the sixth installment in Rockstar Games' hit action-adventure video game series.

The internet is rife with all sorts of reports that point towards an imminent release of "Grand Theft Auto 6," however, recently surfaced data hints at a noteworthy delay before the long-rumored title actually hits the store shelves.

Release date and other details

While the next generation "Grand Theft Auto" title is one of the most anticipated video games of 2017, there's still no sign of it been in the works.

After releasing back in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox One, in 2014 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and 2015 for Microsoft Windows, "GTA 5" garnered huge popularity among avid gamers.

The game turned out to be a huge success for the game developer, bringing about more than a whopping $3 billion in revenue. It's no secret either that both "Grand Theft Auto V" and its online multiplayer mode, "GTA Online" are Rockstar Games' cash cows.

Thanks to the aforesaid titles, the company has secured a source of steady profit.

The burning question on everyone's mind is whether or not Rockstar Games will deviate its focus from the profitable title in order to develop its sequel.

According to ValueWalk, the developer has a negligible motivation to answer the prayers of "Grand Theft Auto" fans who have been waiting with bated breath for the launch of "GTA 6."

Big profit

It’s worth noting that "GTA Online" has achieved more than $500 million in the form of DLC (downloadable content) alone. In other words, there's hardly any need for the developer to introduce the next "Grand Theft Auto" title.

Possibly, "GTA VI" release may be pushed back citing pragmatic consideration, with the company unlikely to launch a sequel that might restrict the profitability of "GTA 5 Online" system.

Moreover, several reports have indicated that only trivial amount of solid work has been achieved on "GTA VI" so far. If that proves to be true, the development required for the hotly-anticipated sequel will be relatively more than any other game. There's a possibility that Rockstar Games may have to assign resources on the title and make a solid effort in this direction.

Inevitable delay

If reports doing rounds online are anything to go by, Rockstar Games is currently hard at works on "Red Dead Redemption 2," which is an equally anticipated sequel to its popular western action-adventure video game, "Red Dead Redemption."

Moreover, the company is still tuning up the "GTA Online" universe, and this implies that the release of "GTA VI" in near future is highly unlikely.

This reality becomes even more evident in the form of some grandiose ideas including VR (virtual reality) that are being associated with the next generation "GTA" game.

There's word floating around that the game will boast a vast map that comprises every city and area that has made an appearance in previously released "Grand Theft Auto" games. As if this weren't enough, there have been suggestions that all previously appeared protagonist from the "Grand Theft Auto" series will be available in "GTA VI" as playable characters.

Value Walk deems this speculation as highly unlikely and notes that the game developer will not put out another spin-off when "GTA 6" releases, and will rather focus on introducing a brand new experience in the "GTA" world.

There's no dearth of reports that suggest the long-awaited title will arrive sometime next year, but this idea is entirely imaginary. "Grand Theft Auto" fans may be in for a long wait before the next "GTA" title is announced.

Much to the dismay of "GTA" fans, it looks like the next installment in the fan-favorite title will not arrive anytime soon. Moreover, it is not likely that the PlayStation 5 and next-generation Xbox console will hit the store shelves before Rockstar's video game.