The CEO and chair of Take-Two, Straus Zelnick, has expressed that the decision to postpone the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 from 2025 to 2026 is a prudent one. During a recent discussion with investors regarding the company’s financial results for 2024/25, Zelnick emphasized the monumental scale of this highly anticipated title, asserting that any additional time granted to Rockstar for refinement is a “worthy investment.”
Investment in Quality
“Grand Theft Auto 6 began development in earnest in 2020, following the tremendous success of Red Dead Redemption 2. Today, it stands as the most anticipated entertainment property of all time,” Zelnick remarked. He confirmed that Rockstar aims to launch Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 26, 2026, which aligns with the company’s fiscal year 2027. Zelnick firmly believes that allowing Rockstar extra time to perfect this groundbreaking project is essential. “The ambition and complexity of Grand Theft Auto 6 surpass any previous title from Rockstar, and the team is prepared to deliver an extraordinary entertainment experience that will exceed players’ expectations,” he added.
In a conversation with IGN, Zelnick elaborated on the reasons behind the delay, attributing it to the need for further polishing. He reassured stakeholders that the company is confident this timeline will not shift again. “Historically, when we set a specific date, we have generally been very successful in meeting it,” he stated.
As the development process progresses, Zelnick noted that the requirements for achieving perfection become increasingly clear. “In this instance, we identified an opportunity to allocate a small amount of additional time to ensure that Rockstar Games can fulfill its creative vision without constraints. I wholeheartedly supported this approach,” he concluded.
