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

Back in February, I had the opportunity to ask Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, about his confidence in meeting the then-anticipated fall 2025 release window for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). At the time, he expressed a high level of confidence, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, the release was postponed to May 26, 2026, which perhaps came as no surprise to many.

Curious about what led to this delay, I followed up with Zelnick in a recent interview that coincided with the release of Take-Two's latest financial results. He explained that as GTA 6 approached its launch, the need for additional polish 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 said. He further elaborated that with a small extension, they could ensure Rockstar Games achieves its creative vision without any limitations. He wholeheartedly supported this approach.

While the delay pushes GTA 6 outside of Take-Two's current fiscal year, impacting short-term financial projections, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's future lineup. This includes anticipated titles such as Gearbox's Borderlands 4, Hangar 13's Mafia: The Old Country, and new installments in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," he affirmed. He also acknowledged the personal frustration of delays but emphasized the importance of supporting the development teams in their quest for perfection.

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With the new release date set for May 26, 2026, I revisited my question about Zelnick's confidence in meeting this deadline. This time, his response was even more assured: "I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we've been very good about reaching it." This statement suggests a strong commitment to the new release date, implying that further delays are unlikely, though never impossible.

The release of the second trailer for GTA 6, along with additional information from Rockstar, has fueled widespread speculation about the game's content. Some fans are even theorizing that Liberty City might make an appearance in GTA 6, either at launch or as post-launch DLC.

As we eagerly await more details, there's plenty to explore about GTA 6, including comprehensive breakdowns of what we know so far, a collection of 70 new screenshots, and expert analysis on how the game will perform on the PS5 Pro.