Grief: Take-Two Delays ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ to 2026

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. has officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, pushing the launch of the most eagerly awaited title in gaming history to May 26, 2026. The highly anticipated game, developed by Rockstar Games, was initially slated for a fall 2025 release. News of the delay sent Take-Two’s stock down 8% in early trading on Friday.

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is the crown jewel of Take-Two’s portfolio, generating a substantial portion of the company’s revenue and player engagement. Fans have been waiting for over a decade since the last mainline installment, GTA V, which debuted in 2013 and went on to sell over 200 million copies worldwide — securing its place as one of the best-selling video games of all time.

“We fully support Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking blockbuster entertainment experience,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in a statement.

Delays have become increasingly common in the modern gaming industry, as developers contend with escalating production costs and intense consumer expectations for flawless, content-rich launches. While the delay pushes GTA VI out of Take-Two’s fiscal 2026 window and into 2027, the publisher reaffirmed its forecast for sequential net bookings growth in both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

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Investors are now eyeing Take-Two’s fourth-quarter earnings report, scheduled for May 15, for additional details on the publisher’s release roadmap. In the meantime, the company has other major titles lined up for its next fiscal year, including Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, both expected to be significant revenue drivers.

“Given that Take-Two reiterated expectations of record-level net bookings in both FY’26 and FY’27, we believe this alleviates some potential concerns about sales cannibalization in FY’26,” noted Wyatt Swanson, analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co.

Rockstar Games first unveiled a teaser trailer for GTA VI in December 2023, confirming the series’ return to Vice City — a fictionalized take on Miami — and introducing Lucia, the franchise’s first female protagonist. The teaser, which hinted at a modern-day Bonnie-and-Clyde narrative, racked up over 100 million views within 24 hours of its release.

Reaction to the delay has been mixed on social media. While some fans voiced frustration over the extended wait, others welcomed the opportunity for Rockstar to deliver a more polished final product.

Industry Impact

The delay is likely to ripple beyond Take-Two’s balance sheet. GTA VI was expected to act as a major growth catalyst for the gaming sector, particularly in a year when rising U.S. tariffs have driven up console prices and dampened consumer spending. A later launch means industry-wide expectations for 2025 may need to be recalibrated.