Take-Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick has stepped forward to ease shareholders’ worries in the wake of Grand Theft Auto 6’s postponement.
Rockstar Games announced earlier today that GTA 6, anticipated to be the entertainment industry’s largest launch ever, will experience a substantial delay. Originally scheduled for release in fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, the game will now arrive on May 26, 2026. This represents a shift from Take-Two’s 2026 fiscal year to its 2027 fiscal year.
Early trading reflected immediate market response, with Take-Two stock experiencing a 7.98% decrease in value at the time of reporting. In response, Take-Two published a statement on their corporate website reaffirming their projection that the company will achieve sequential increases and record levels of Net Bookings (revenue) in Fiscal 2026 and 2027.
CEO Remains Confident Despite Setback
Zelnick commented that Take-Two fully supports Rockstar’s decision to delay GTA 6 and assured shareholders that the company anticipates delivering a multi-year growth period.
Zelnick expressed that they completely back Rockstar Games’ decision to take additional time to fulfill their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which he expects to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience exceeding audience expectations. He acknowledged that while they take schedule changes seriously and understand the global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, they remain committed to excellence. As they continue releasing their pipeline of games, they expect to deliver multiple years of business growth and enhanced shareholder value.
What’s Next for Take-Two’s Portfolio?
With GTA 6 and its guaranteed billions now pushed beyond the 2026 fiscal year, what remains in Take-Two’s lineup? Besides Rockstar, Take-Two owns publishers 2K Games and 2K Sports. Gearbox’s Borderlands 4 is set for a September release, while Mafia: The Old Country is also scheduled for this year. Another profitable NBA game (NBA 2K26) from 2K Sports is expected as well. Looking further ahead, a new BioShock is in development, along with Ken Levine’s next project, Judas.
Realistically, none of 2K’s upcoming releases can compensate for the colossal impact of GTA 6, resulting in lower-than-anticipated revenue for Take-Two. Nevertheless, GTA 6 fans generally aren’t surprised by the delay, though many had hoped for at least a new screenshot to soften the announcement’s impact.