GTA 6 has apparently been delayed so Rockstar make a game that meets the unparalleled expectations set by its predecessors. Read on to learn more about Take-Two's comments concerning the game's new release date and the financial hit they took due to this.
Take-Two Reports Net Loss Amid GTA 6 Delay
Delay is to Ensure “Creative Vision With No Limitations”
The wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) continues, and while the collective anticipation of gamers all over might be simmering, Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games’ parent company, is adamant in their recent earnings call that this extended development cycle is a "worthy investment" so that Rockstar could fully realize its creative vision.
Originally eyed for a 2025 release, GTA 6 now carries a May 26, 2026 launch date. This decision is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow for fans who have been waiting for a true sequel to GTA 5, which launched back in 2013, but Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, in an interview with IGN, remains steadfast in his belief that the additional development time will result in a groundbreaking experience for "a title that’s seeking perfection."
"In this case there was an opportunity with a small amount of incremental time," Zelnick told IGN. "We thought, to make sure Rockstar Games achieves its creative vision with no limitations."
In support of this, insider info from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier suggests that GTA 6 getting delayed was an inevitability to avoid development crunch. He stated on Bluesky back on May 2 that "Nobody I’ve talked to at Rockstar has believed Fall 2025 was a real window for a very long time now. Too much work, not enough time, and what appears to be a real desire from management to avoid brutal crunch. GTA VI slipping to 2026 has seemed inevitable for months if not longer."
The financial implications of the delay, however, have been significant to Take-Two. The company reported during their earnings call, as per Investopedia and Wall Street Journal, a net loss of $3.73 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter, largely due to a $3.55 billion "goodwill impairment charge." The company’s projected fiscal 2026 revenue of $5.95 billion to $6.05 billion falls short of analysts’ expectations of $7.91 billion.
Despite these, according to Business Insider, Take-Two remained optimistic, stating that the company still has strong upcoming releases, such as Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country.
The delay may have tempered investor expectations in the short term, but the prevailing sentiment from Take-Two’s leadership is one of confidence in a product expected to break new ground. As Zelnick succinctly stated in a December 2024 interview with Conner Mather, "I think it’ll be extraordinary and worth waiting for."
For more on GTA 6, check out our article below!
Source:
Investopedia | Take-Two Interactive Stock Slips After 'GTA 6' Maker's Outlook Comes Up Short
Jason Schreier’s Comments About GTA 6’s Delay on Bluesky
