Take-Two CEO on GTA 6 Delay: 'Painful but Necessary for Creative Vision'

In February, I had the opportunity to ask Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about his confidence in meeting the then-projected fall 2025 release window for Grand Theft Auto 6. He expressed strong confidence, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, GTA 6 was officially delayed to May 26, 2026. This shift sparked curiosity about what might have changed in such a short period.

In a recent interview coinciding with Take-Two's latest financial report, I revisited this topic with Zelnick. He explained that as GTA 6 approached its initial release date, the need for additional polish became apparent. "As we get closer to completion of a title that’s seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear," Zelnick stated. He emphasized the opportunity to ensure Rockstar Games could achieve its creative vision without any limitations, which he fully supported.

The delay of GTA 6 into the next financial year poses a short-term challenge for Take-Two's financial performance. Despite this, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming projects, including 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 remarked, acknowledging the pain of delays but prioritizing support for his teams in their pursuit of perfection.

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When asked again about his confidence in meeting the new release date of May 26, 2026, Zelnick appeared even more assured. He noted, "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 hitting the new target, though he stops short of guaranteeing it. While it's impossible to predict the future with absolute certainty, the setting of a concrete date implies a significant commitment to it.

The release of the second GTA 6 trailer, along with additional information from Rockstar, has fueled extensive speculation among fans. There's buzz that Liberty City might feature in GTA 6, either at launch or as post-launch DLC. As we await further details, there's no shortage of content for fans, including all the details we’ve discovered so far, a collection of 70 brand new screenshots, and expert opinions on how GTA 6 will perform on the PS5 Pro.