Following the delay of GTA 6, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has sought to reassure worried shareholders.
Rockstar announced a major delay for GTA 6 earlier today. Originally slated for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the title is now scheduled for May 26, 2026. This pushes its launch from Take-Two's 2026 fiscal year into its 2027 fiscal year. The game is anticipated to be the largest entertainment launch in history.
Shortly after the announcement, Take-Two's stock fell by 7.98% in early trading. The company released a statement on its corporate website, reiterating its expectation of achieving sequential growth and record Net Bookings (revenue) in both Fiscal 2026 and 2027.
Zelnick personally addressed the situation, stating that Take-Two supports Rockstar’s decision to delay GTA 6. He informed shareholders that the company anticipates entering a sustained "multi-year" growth period.
"We fully support Rockstar Games taking the additional time needed to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI," Zelnick said. "This promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that surpasses audience expectations."
"While we treat the scheduling of our releases seriously and recognize the immense global anticipation for GTA VI, we remain unwavering in our commitment to quality. With our phenomenal pipeline of upcoming releases, we expect to deliver multi-year business growth and increased value to our shareholders."
With GTA 6 and its anticipated billions no longer contributing to the 2026 fiscal year, what else does Take-Two have planned? Beyond Rockstar, Take-Two's portfolio includes publishers 2K Games and 2K Sports. Gearbox's Borderlands 4 is set for a September release, and Mafia: The Old Country is also scheduled for this year. Another profitable NBA 2K26 title is expected from 2K Sports. Further out, the next BioShock game and Ken Levine’s upcoming project, Judas, are in development.
Realistically, however, none of 2K's releases in the near future can compensate for the monumental revenue expected from GTA 6. This leaves Take-Two's financial outlook lighter than previously projected. While fans of GTA 6 are not entirely surprised by the delay, many had hoped for at least a new screenshot to cushion the disappointment.
