Back in February, I asked Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick about his confidence in hitting GTA 6's then-targeted fall 2025 release window. He expressed feeling "really good about it." However, three months later, the release was delayed to May 26, 2026, which came as no surprise to many.
Curious about what changed during those few months, I revisited the topic with Zelnick in a new interview, aligning with Take-Two's recent financial results. He explained that as GTA 6 neared 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 stated. “In this case, there was an opportunity with a small amount of incremental time, we thought, to make sure Rockstar Games achieves its creative vision with no limitations. And I supported, of course, that approach.”While the delay shifts GTA 6's release outside of Take-Two's current financial year, impacting short-term numbers, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming lineup. This 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 said. “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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Given the new release date, I posed the same question to Zelnick again: how confident are you that Rockstar will meet the May 26, 2026, deadline? 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 belief in hitting the new date for GTA 6, though Zelnick stops short of an absolute guarantee. While delays are never ruled out entirely, the setting of a firm date implies a high level of confidence.
The release of GTA 6 Trailer 2 and accompanying details from Rockstar have fueled speculation among fans about what to expect from what is poised to be the biggest video game launch ever. Some enthusiasts speculate that Liberty City might feature in GTA 6, either at launch or as post-launch DLC.
As anticipation builds, stay tuned for more on GTA 6, including all the latest discoveries, a gallery of 70 new screenshots, and expert insights on how GTA 6 will perform on the PS5 Pro.
