Hype for GTA6 will only increase if there is another delay, but GOTY chances might get reduced just because you never know what game comes out and blows people away. Like last year with Expedition 33, i dont think any game was beating out Exp 33. Same goes for baldurs gate 3 and elden rings in 2022 and 2023. once in a generation games that even a rockstar game would lose out to. Case in point, Half life 3. If GTA6 gets delayed to 2027 and half life 3 releases that year, its game over no matter how grand GTA6 is.
let's not forget, RDR2 lost to GOW in 2018 because GOW just completely rejuvenated the franchise with a bold new direction. RDR2 was my personal goty and won a lot of GOTY awards itself but gow was the big winner that year. In 2013, GTA5 won the VGA over TLOU1, but TLOU1 just cleaned up the majority of awards elsewhere. In 2010, RDR1 lost to Mass Effect 2 which again was one of those once in a generation type games that is simply unstoppable at the awards circuit.
So yeah, GTA6 will be the biggest game of all time. It will win many awards. Maybe even the VGA, but if Crimson Desert turns out to be the next Exp 33 or gow 2018 or baldurs gate 3, i think gta6 may just lose to it.
its not losing to Fable or Wolverine though. Both look good but not goty worthy. insomniac will never win a goty award anyway. not even in a weak year let alone a stacked year like this.
my guess is that RE9, GTA6, Fable, Crimson Desert, and a token Nintendo title will be the big nominees this gen. The last spot might go to Gears e-day, wolverine, Silent Hill Townfall, or some undeserving indie game.