Strauss Zelnick Reassures Shareholders on GTA 6 Delay

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has addressed shareholder concerns following Grand Theft Auto VI's unexpected delay.

Earlier today, Rockstar Games confirmed GTA VI's launch window shifting from Fall 2025 to May 26, 2026 - pushing what was anticipated to be history's biggest entertainment release into Take-Two's 2027 fiscal year instead of its original 2026 slot.

The announcement spurred immediate market reaction, with Take-Two Interactive shares dropping nearly 8% in early trading. The company maintains confidence in achieving record Net Bookings (revenue) for both fiscal years following today's statement on its corporate website.

Zelnick personally endorsed Rockstar's decision, assuring shareholders this delay aligns with Take-Two's long-term growth strategy:

"We fully support Rockstar Games' choice to extend development for Grand Theft Auto VI - ensuring this groundbreaking experience surpasses audience expectations," Zelnick stated.

"While we understand the global anticipation surrounding GTA VI, our commitment to quality remains unwavering. This forms part of our strategy to deliver sustained business growth and enhanced shareholder value across multiple years."

With GTA VI's massive revenue potential now postponed, attention turns to Take-Two's alternative pipeline:

• Borderlands 4 (Gearbox/September release)
• Mafia: The Old Country (2024 launch)
• NBA 2K26 (annual sports title)
• Next-generation BioShock (in development)
• Judas (Ken Levine's new project)

Though impressive, none of these projects matches GTA VI's financial scale, leaving immediate revenue projections lighter than planned. Fans have largely accepted the delay, though many hoped for new gameplay visuals alongside the announcement.