Take-Two Interactive Delays Grand Theft Auto VI Release to May 2026
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, Take-Two Interactive, the US-based video games maker, has announced that it will delay the release of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI until May 2026. The news, which was reported by the Financial Times earlier today, has resulted in Take-Two’s shares plummeting by 7 per cent in early trading.
According to a statement released by Take-Two, the delay is necessary to ensure that the game meets the company’s high standards of quality. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two’s chief executive, said that "we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence". The company’s subsidiary, RockStar Games, which created the GTA franchise, also apologised for the delay, stating that it needed "extra time to deliver at the level of quality [players] expect and deserve".
The delay of GTA VI, which features a Bonnie and Clyde-style criminal couple rampaging around Vice City, is expected to have a significant impact on the console gaming market. Some analysts had been forecasting that the game would generate $3bn in its first year on the market, making it the biggest entertainment launch of 2025. However, with the delay, Piers Harding-Rolls, research director for games at Ampere Analysis, believes that the console market scale in 2025 will be negatively affected, with sales of games and new consoles likely to suffer.
The news will come as a disappointment to fans of the franchise, who have been eagerly awaiting the release of GTA VI for over a decade. The game has been in development since 2013, and RockStar has been tight-lipped about its progress, releasing only a few trailers and snippets of information. The company’s commitment to quality is well-known, but the delay will undoubtedly be frustrating for those who were hoping to get their hands on the game this year.
However, the delay may come as a relief to other games publishers who had been fearing the blockbuster launch of GTA VI would make it hard for other titles to win attention. Analysts at Newzoo had been expecting that the combination of GTA VI and Nintendo’s forthcoming Switch 2 console would drive 10 per cent growth in global console software revenues this year to $47.3bn, after sales dropped 4 per cent in 2024.
Despite the delay, Take-Two remains optimistic about its future prospects. The company said that it still expects sequential increases in net bookings in the current and next fiscal year. As the Financial Times reports, the delay of GTA VI is a significant blow to the gaming industry, but it also presents opportunities for other publishers to fill the gap.
RockStar’s commitment to quality is evident in its statement, which said: "With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception." The company added: "The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game."
The delay of GTA VI is a significant reminder of the complexities and challenges of game development. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, companies like Take-Two and RockStar are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality games that meet the expectations of fans. While the delay may be disappointing for some, it is clear that Take-Two and RockStar are committed to delivering a game that is worth the wait.
The Financial Times reports that the delay of GTA VI has wiped billions of dollars from Take-Two’s market value, highlighting the significant impact that the game is expected to have on the company’s bottom line. However, with the delay, Take-Two is prioritising quality over revenue, demonstrating its commitment to delivering a game that meets its high standards.
Sources:
https://www.ft.com/content/06852410-cf31-4f11-b76b-4a33c8e338d6
This article was originally published by the Financial Times. All rights reserved.
