Back in February, I had the opportunity to ask Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, about his confidence in meeting the then-targeted fall 2025 release window for GTA 6. At the time, he expressed feeling "really good about it." However, just three months later, as perhaps anticipated by many, the release of GTA 6 was postponed to May 26, 2026.
Curious about what prompted this delay, I revisited the topic with Zelnick in a new interview that coincided with the release of Take-Two’s latest financial results. He explained that as the game neared its launch, the necessity for further refinement became apparent. "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. He emphasized that the additional time would enable Rockstar Games to fully realize its creative vision without any compromises, a decision he fully endorsed.
While the delay pushes GTA 6's release outside of Take-Two's current fiscal year, impacting short-term financial projections, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming lineup. This includes titles like Gearbox’s Borderlands 4, Hangar 13’s Mafia: The Old Country, and new entries in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," he affirmed, acknowledging the pain of delays but stressing the importance of supporting the team's quest for perfection.
GTA 6 Jason Duval Screenshots
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With the new release date set, I couldn't help but ask Zelnick again about his confidence in hitting the May 26, 2026, target. His response this time was even more assertive: "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 date, hinting that another delay would be highly unexpected.
The release of GTA 6 Trailer 2, along with Rockstar's detailed information release, has fueled speculation among fans about what to expect from what is poised to be the most significant video game launch ever. Some enthusiasts speculate that Liberty City might feature in GTA 6, either at launch or through post-launch DLC.
As we eagerly await further developments, there's no shortage of content to explore. Dive into all the details we’ve discovered so far, check out a collection of 70 brand new screenshots, and read the expert opinion on how GTA 6 will look on PS5 Pro.
