Zelnick Calms Investors on GTA 6 Delay, Stock Slide

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has addressed shareholder concerns following the announcement of GTA 6's delay.

Rockstar Games recently confirmed a major postponement for GTA 6, which was originally slated for fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The new release date is now set for May 26, 2026 - pushing the launch from Take-Two's 2026 fiscal year into its 2027 fiscal period.

Take-Two's stock dropped nearly 8% in early trading following the announcement. However, the company reiterated its financial outlook, anticipating record Net Bookings (revenue) growth for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Zelnick publicly backed Rockstar's decision, telling investors the delay would ultimately benefit both game quality and long-term business growth.

"We fully support Rockstar Games taking additional development time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI," Zelnick stated. "This title represents a groundbreaking entertainment experience that will exceed player expectations worldwide."

He continued: "While we understand the tremendous anticipation for GTA VI, we remain committed to delivering excellence. Our strong upcoming pipeline positions us for sustained multi-year growth and continued shareholder value."

The GTA 6 delay creates significant financial implications, removing what would have been 2026's guaranteed blockbuster revenue. Take-Two's other major franchises - including Borderlands 4 (September 2025), Mafia: The Old Country (2025), and NBA 2K26 - will help offset but not fully replace the impact.

Looking ahead, Take-Two has several major projects in development, including the next BioShock installment and Ken Levine's Judas. Still, none can match the financial scale of GTA 6 in the immediate future.

While disappointing to fans, many anticipated a potential delay, though some hoped for new media reveals to soften the blow.