8 Games That Hit Shelves Faster Than GTA VI

The gaming world has been buzzing with anticipation for ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’, a title that’s taken over a decade to develop, with its release set for May 26, 2026. Its long journey has sparked curiosity about how other major games managed to launch much quicker, delivering epic experiences in less time.

I dove into the development timelines of some standout titles released before ‘GTA VI’ to see how they stacked up. Here are eight games that were crafted and released faster, showing how developers balanced speed, quality, and ambition.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Rockstar’s ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ took about eight years to develop, from 2010 to its 2018 release. This open-world Western epic was a massive undertaking, with a sprawling map and deep story about Arthur Morgan’s outlaw life.

Despite its complexity, Rockstar’s team of thousands across multiple studios pulled it off faster than ‘GTA VI’. They reused tech from ‘GTA V’, which helped streamline production, even with the game’s jaw-dropping detail and polish.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

CD Projekt Red crafted ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ in roughly three and a half years, from late 2011 to its 2015 launch. This fantasy RPG, following Geralt of Rivia, became a benchmark for storytelling and open-world design.

The team’s focused vision and use of an in-house engine allowed rapid progress. Unlike ‘GTA VI’, which faced delays and a reboot, ‘The Witcher 3’ hit its stride by building on lessons from its predecessors, proving efficiency doesn’t mean cutting corners.

Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ was developed by CD Projekt Red in about six years, from 2014 to its 2020 release. Set in the neon-lit Night City, it promised a futuristic open-world adventure with Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand.

Though its launch was rocky due to bugs, the team’s use of existing tech and a clear scope kept development shorter than ‘GTA VI’. A smaller map and focused narrative helped them move faster, even if polish came later via patches.

Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)

Guerrilla Games built ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ in roughly six years, from 2011 to its 2017 debut. This action RPG, starring Aloy in a post-apocalyptic world of robotic creatures, wowed players with its visuals and story.

By leveraging the Decima engine and a streamlined development process, Guerrilla avoided the scope creep that slowed ‘GTA VI’. Their focus on a single protagonist and a cohesive world allowed for quicker iteration and release.

Spider-Man (2018)

Insomniac Games developed ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ in about four years, from 2014 to its 2018 launch. This PlayStation exclusive let players swing through New York as Peter Parker, blending tight combat and an emotional story.

Insomniac’s experience with action games and a well-defined scope kept things moving. Unlike ‘GTA VI’, which juggles multiple protagonists and a vast open world, ‘Spider-Man’ focused on a single hero, speeding up production without sacrificing quality.

God of War (2018)

Santa Monica Studio’s ‘God of War’ reboot took around five years to develop, from 2013 to 2018. This Norse mythology-inspired action game followed Kratos and his son Atreus, earning praise for its cinematic storytelling.

The team’s decision to retool the series with a new camera system and tighter narrative kept development lean. Compared to ‘GTA VI’s sprawling ambitions, ‘God of War’ shows how a focused vision can deliver a masterpiece in less time.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

Ubisoft’s ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ was crafted in about three years, from 2015 to its 2018 release. Set in ancient Greece, it offered players a massive RPG with choice-driven storytelling as either Kassandra or Alexios.

Ubisoft’s assembly-line approach, with multiple studios and a refined engine, allowed rapid development. Unlike ‘GTA VI’, which faced leaks and a reboot, ‘Odyssey’ benefited from Ubisoft’s iterative process, building on ‘Origins’ to launch quickly.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

Nintendo’s ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ took roughly five years to develop, from 2012 to its 2017 release. This open-world adventure redefined the Zelda series with its vast Hyrule and freedom-focused gameplay.

Nintendo’s tight-knit team and clear design goals kept things on track. While ‘GTA VI’ grappled with a complex open world and multiple delays, ‘Breath of the Wild’ prioritized systems over scale, hitting shelves faster with stunning results.

Which game’s speedy development surprised you most, or is there another title you think belongs on this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments!