"Take-Two CEO on GTA 6 Delay: Ensuring Rockstar's Creative Vision"

Back in February, I had the chance to speak with Strauss Zelnick, the boss of Take-Two, about the anticipated release of GTA 6, initially set for fall 2025. At the time, Zelnick expressed a high level of confidence, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, as many might have expected, the release of GTA 6 was pushed back to May 26, 2026.

Curious about what had changed in those few months, I revisited the topic with Zelnick during a recent interview that coincided with Take-Two's latest financial results. He explained that as the game approached its launch, the necessity 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 remarked. He further noted that with a slight extension of time, they believed Rockstar Games could fully realize its creative vision without any compromises. "And I supported, of course, that approach," he added.

The delay of GTA 6 into the next financial year is undoubtedly a setback for Take-Two's immediate financial projections. However, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming lineup, which includes Gearbox's Borderlands 4, Hangar 13's Mafia: The Old Country, and new additions to the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," he stated. He also acknowledged the frustration of delays, saying, "And while of course, delays pain me — how could they not? — the most important thing to do is to support your teams in their search for perfection."

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With the new release date for GTA 6 now set, I revisited the question of confidence in meeting this new timeline with Zelnick. This time, his response was even more assertive: "I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we've been very good about reaching it." This suggests a strong commitment to the May 26, 2026, release, though as always, nothing is set in stone.

The recent release of GTA 6 Trailer 2 and the accompanying 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 part of post-launch downloadable content (DLC).

As we eagerly await further updates, there's a wealth of information available on GTA 6, including all the details we've discovered so far, a comprehensive collection of 70 brand new screenshots, and the expert opinion on how GTA 6 will look on PS5 Pro.