Take-Two delays Grand Theft Auto VI to May 2026, sparking investor concern as fans await the decade-long anticipated blockbuster from Rockstar Games.
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| Rockstar Games has delayed GTA VI to May 2026, citing quality and creative goals, affecting Take-Two’s fiscal outlook and industry-wide momentum. Image: GTA VI |
New York, USA — May 3, 2025:
Take-Two Interactive announced Friday that the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) will be delayed until May 26, 2026, pushing the launch date beyond its previously planned fall 2025 release. The move sent Take-Two shares down 8% in early trading, as investors recalibrated expectations for the entertainment giant’s earnings timeline.
Developed by Rockstar Games, GTA VI is poised to be a cultural and commercial milestone in video game history. The previous installment, Grand Theft Auto V, debuted in 2013 and has since sold over 200 million copies worldwide, cementing the franchise's dominance in the gaming industry.
"We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking blockbuster entertainment experience," said Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick.
The announcement underscores a broader industry trend in which high-budget video game projects face increasing delays due to spiraling production costs, talent shortages, and heightened player expectations for polished, content-rich experiences at launch.
The delay will now push GTA VI outside Take-Two’s fiscal 2026 calendar and into 2027, prompting analysts to revise booking forecasts. Despite the setback, the company reaffirmed its expectation for strong year-over-year growth in net bookings for both fiscal 2026 and 2027.
Analyst Wyatt Swanson of D.A. Davidson & Co noted, “Given that Take-Two reiterated expectations of record-level net bookings in both FY’26 and FY’27, we think this alleviates some of the potential concerns around sales cannibalization in FY’26.”
Fans reacted with a mix of frustration and understanding across social media platforms. Some lamented the prolonged wait, while others praised Rockstar’s commitment to quality.
First teased in December 2023, the GTA VI trailer confirmed a return to Vice City, Rockstar’s fictional Miami, and introduced Lucia, the franchise’s first female lead. The teaser featured a modern Bonnie-and-Clyde-style duo and shattered viewership records with over 100 million plays in 24 hours.
The delay is not only a major development for fans but also has wider industry implications. GTA VI was projected to be a growth catalyst amid economic pressures like rising console prices driven by U.S. tariffs and cautious consumer spending.
Even with the delay, Take-Two plans to fill its fiscal slate with high-profile releases including Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, both expected to be major commercial successes.
Investors and fans alike now look to Take-Two’s Q4 earnings report, scheduled for May 15, for further insights into the company's strategy and pipeline outlook.