In February, I had the chance to speak with Strauss Zelnick, the head of Take-Two Interactive, about the anticipated release of GTA 6, which was initially slated for fall 2025. At the time, Zelnick expressed strong confidence in meeting that deadline, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, the release of GTA 6 was pushed back to May 26, 2026, a development that perhaps surprised few in the gaming community.
Curious about what led to this delay, I followed up with Zelnick during a new interview aligned with Take-Two's recent financial disclosures. He explained that as the game neared its launch, the necessity for additional refinement became evident. "As we get closer to completion of a title that's seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear," Zelnick remarked. He emphasized the decision to grant Rockstar Games a bit more time to ensure their creative vision for GTA 6 was fully realized without compromise, a move he fully supported.
The shift in GTA 6's release date, moving it out of Take-Two's current fiscal year, presents a short-term setback for the company's financial projections. Yet, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming lineup, which includes titles like Gearbox's Borderlands 4, Hangar 13's Mafia: The Old Country, and new entries in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," he assured. While acknowledging the pain of delays, he stressed the importance of backing the development teams in their quest for perfection.
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When I revisited the question of confidence in hitting the new May 26, 2026, release date, Zelnick's response was even more resolute. He pointed to Take-Two's track record, noting, "I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we've been very good about reaching it." This statement suggests a strong belief in meeting the new deadline, although he wisely left room for unforeseen circumstances.
The announcement of GTA 6's new release date, coupled with the release of GTA 6 Trailer 2 and additional information from Rockstar, has fueled rampant speculation among fans about the game's content. Some enthusiasts are buzzing about the possibility of Liberty City being featured in GTA 6, either at launch or as part of post-launch DLC.
As we eagerly await more details, there's plenty to explore about GTA 6, including all the insights we've gathered so far, a collection of 70 new screenshots, and expert analyses on how GTA 6 will perform on the PS5 Pro.
