A record blitz of great games before GTA 6
Short answer: The Ringer says 2026 has already had 62 games scoring 85 or higher on Metacritic by 31 October, the most on record, as publishers rushed out big games early and moved others to 2027 to avoid GTA 6 on 19 November.
By Jake Morrison · Sources checked by GTA6Geek Editorial · Published · Last updated · 5 min read
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TelegramUpdate (3 Nov 2026): Analyst view: Circana on GTA 6 and November games.
Update (3 Nov 2026): Analyst view Circana’s Mat Piscatella told GamesRadar+ that GTA 6, the Ocarina of Time remake (8 Nov) and World of Warcraft: Forever (4 Nov) should do well, but for other November games, “we’ll see”. He said about 15% of people who plan to buy GTA 6 also plan to buy the Ocarina of Time remake, per Circana tracking. Source: GamesRadar+.
Update (3 Nov 2026): Two more big moves around the GTA 6 window. Stronghold 4 Early Access moved from 7 December 2026 to 20 April 2027; Firefly Studios says it needs more time and wants to avoid a busy holiday schedule (it does not name GTA VI; Gematsu). Bethesda also revealed the title The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel in a 40th-anniversary video, with no release date (GAMINGbible).
The numbers
- 62 games with a Metascore of 85+ through 31 October 2026, the highest on record (the median year since 2001 has 43).
- 15.2% of qualifying games scored 85+ this year, compared with 9.4% on average this century.
- The share of 85+ games released in October to December has fallen from about 40% to about 25% over 25 years.
The analysis is by Ben Lindbergh and Rob Arthur at The Ringer. Reported
Is this real? Yes, data analysis by The Ringer
Who said it: The Ringer, using Metacritic data; quote from Circana’s Mat Piscatella. Our view: Clear trend; Game of the Year odds are only predictions. Checked: 2 Nov 2026.
On this page
Why everyone moved
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella told The Ringer: “Just about everyone got out of the way of Grand Theft Auto VI’s launch.”
- Moved earlier: Capcom brought Onimusha: Way of the Sword forward from 25 September to 4 September.
- Moved to 2027, citing GTA 6: Fable, Squadron 42 and Danganronpa 2×2.
- Also slipped to 2027: games such as The Duskbloods, Witchbrook and Lords of the Fallen II. See The Duskbloods delay.
The Ringer adds that prediction markets give GTA 6 an 85% chance of winning Game of the Year. Read our GTA 6 Metacritic score prediction. GTA 6 launches on 19 November 2026.
Sources
Last checked: 2 Nov 2026. Labels: Official = Rockstar or platform holder, Reported = previews or press, Unconfirmed = not stated by Rockstar.
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Frequently asked questions
Why did so many games release before GTA 6?
Publishers wanted to avoid launching near GTA 6 on 19 November 2026, so many moved their games earlier in the year or into 2027.
Which games were delayed because of GTA 6?
The Ringer lists Fable, Squadron 42 and Danganronpa 2×2 as games that moved to 2027 and named GTA 6 as a reason.
Is 2026 the best year for games?
By Metacritic count it is a record: 62 games scored 85 or higher by 31 October, according to The Ringer.
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