Take-Two Interactive has unveiled its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, showcasing a robust performance that has undoubtedly caught the attention of investors. The company reported net bookings of .47 billion for the quarter, positioning itself well within its projected annual target of .55 to .65 billion. However, amidst these impressive figures, the anticipation surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 looms large.
Performance Highlights
Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick attributed the company’s success to the enduring popularity of its flagship franchises, particularly Grand Theft Auto and Borderlands. During an investor call, he emphasized, “We have one of the strongest portfolios of owned intellectual property in our industry.” With a slate of exciting titles on the horizon for Fiscal 2026—including the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, Borderlands 4, and Mafia: The Old Country—Zelnick expressed confidence in creating long-term value for shareholders.
While the excitement builds for GTA 6, expected in the fall of 2026 at the earliest, Zelnick hinted at a broader strategy that includes simultaneous releases on PC. He described the platform as the “open platform,” suggesting that it will play an increasingly significant role in Take-Two’s business model moving forward.
As financial analysts probed deeper into the performance of individual titles during the call, Zelnick artfully navigated questions about Grand Theft Auto. He revealed that Grand Theft Auto 5 has exceeded expectations, with sales surpassing 205 million units globally. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto Online has seen sustained engagement, with membership in the GTA+ service growing by 35% over the past year.
Red Dead Redemption 2 also continues to perform admirably, having sold over 67 million units since its release, maintaining a steady presence on sales charts.
Borderlands Film Fallout
In a less celebratory tone, Zelnick addressed the recent Borderlands film, which has been met with criticism and deemed one of the year’s significant flops. When questioned about the film’s financial impact on the Borderlands franchise, Zelnick refrained from providing specific figures, stating, “We don’t really need to break out the contribution of the film.” However, he acknowledged that despite the film’s disappointing reception, it had a positive effect on catalogue sales, indicating that adaptations can still drive interest in the original content.
“We’re really selective because we would prefer that everything that comes out with our brands in it is really, really successful,” Zelnick noted. He emphasized the importance of selectivity in licensing, underscoring the challenges of ensuring success in ventures outside the company’s direct control.
With the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 having set expectations for a 2025 release, speculation continues regarding whether the game will meet this timeline. Historical delays in the franchise and Rockstar’s commitment to “seeking perfection” have fueled this uncertainty. As one former lead developer remarked, there is currently “no competition” to contend with, leaving fans hopeful that next year may finally see the arrival of GTA 6 on consoles. For Zelnick and his shareholders, the stakes could not be higher.