In response to the recent delay of *Grand Theft Auto VI* (GTA 6), Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has issued a statement aimed at reassuring shareholders and addressing concerns about the financial impact. The highly anticipated title, originally slated for a fall 2025 release, will now launch worldwide on May 26, 2026—pushing it into Take-Two’s 2027 fiscal year.

The announcement led to an immediate reaction in the markets, with Take-Two’s stock dropping by nearly 8% early in trading. Despite this short-term volatility, the company remains confident in its long-term outlook. In a message posted directly to Take-Two’s corporate website, the publisher reaffirmed its projections for continued growth, anticipating sequential increases and record Net Bookings (revenue) for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Zelnick voiced full support for Rockstar Games’ decision to extend development time for GTA 6, emphasizing the importance of delivering a product that meets—and exceeds—creative expectations. “We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations,” he stated.

He further added that while the delay is taken seriously, especially given the immense global anticipation for the game, Take-Two remains committed to excellence across its entire portfolio. “As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders.”

What’s Next for Take-Two?

With GTA 6 now moved out of the 2026 fiscal year, the question becomes what other titles will help drive revenue in the interim. Take-Two operates multiple studios and publishing arms, including Rockstar Games and 2K Games. Upcoming releases include *Borderlands 4* from Gearbox, scheduled for September, and *Mafia: The Old Country*, set to arrive later this year. Additionally, fans can expect the annual NBA 2K installment with *NBA 2K26* from 2K Sports.

Looking further ahead, development is already underway on the next *BioShock* title as well as *Judas*, the next project from acclaimed creative director Ken Levine. However, none of these titles are expected to match the financial scale or cultural impact of *GTA 6*, leaving a noticeable gap in potential revenue for the near term.

Despite fan disappointment over the delay, many longtime observers of Rockstar’s development cycles weren’t entirely surprised. Most were hoping for at least a new visual update or gameplay reveal to ease the wait—but for now, patience remains the name of the game.