Take-Two CEO is 'very confident' of new GTA 6 release date, but says 'bad things happen' when game releases too early
Blog Andrew Joseph 07 Nov , 2025 0
GTA 6 delayed againThis time it's been pushed back to November 19, 2026, marking the game's second delay since its initial release window. But Strauss Zelnick, chief executive of publisher Take-Two, is “very confident” this will be the last time.
Speaking to IGN over the phone ahead of the announcement, Zelnick reiterated the company's statement that the delay was simply to give Rockstar time to polish the game. “We want to give Rockstar the appropriate time to polish this game and make sure it can be the best it can be,” he said.
Previously, “Grand Theft Auto VI” has been announced to be released in the fall of 2025. CEO Strauss Zelnick told me that he Although rumors are swirling about a postponement. The game was later delayed to May 2026, with Take-Two and Rockstar also citing the need for polish.
So I asked Zelnick again: How confident are you in this new date? Do you think it's possible that we'll get GTA 6 in 2027?
“I'm very confident,” he replied, “At the same time, in the limited circumstances that require more time to polish a game and make sure it's spectacular and that it's time well spent, when our competitors come to market before something is ready, bad things are going to happen. That said, I'm very confident in the new date.”
Take-Two reported that second-quarter net bookings reached $1.96 billion, a record high in the company's history, thanks to the launch of “NBA 2K26,” “Mafia: Legacy” and “Borderlands 4.” “GTA V” sells millions of copies every quarter, with total sales currently exceeding 220 million copies.
Meanwhile, take two Dozens of employees laid off last weekclaiming they leaked “Confidential Information in Public ForumsThese employees claim they were actually fired for discussing unions and organizing at the company, and Protest against sackings in front of Rockstar North and Take-Two UK offices today.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter at IGN. You can find her posts at BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Have a story tip? Send it to [email protected].