When I interviewed Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick in February about GTA 6's initial fall 2025 release window, he expressed strong confidence. Fast forward three months, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Rockstar delayed Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26, 2026.
So what shifted during those crucial months? In our latest conversation following Take-Two's financial report, Zelnick explained that as development progressed, the necessity for additional polish "became evident."
The Perfection Equation
"As we approach completion of a title striving for perfection, the requirements—or lack thereof—for final refinements become apparent," Zelnick elaborated. "With GTA 6, we recognized an opportunity where modest additional development time would enable Rockstar to fully realize its creative ambitions without compromise. Naturally, I endorsed this approach."
While pushing GTA 6 into Take-Two's next fiscal year affects short-term projections, Zelnick remains optimistic about their slate—including Borderlands 4, Mafia: The Old Country, and annual sports titles.
"I maintain great confidence in our Fiscal '26 outlook," he affirmed. "Delays are always disappointing, but supporting our teams' pursuit of excellence remains paramount."
GTA 6 Jason Duval Screenshots
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The Confidence Question Revisited
Revisiting my February query about release confidence, Zelnick now sounds even more assured: "Historically when we establish concrete dates, we've demonstrated strong adherence."
This statement—without outright guaranteeing—strongly suggests Rockstar aims to avoid further delays. While nothing's certain in game development, another postponement after setting this firm date would surprise industry observers.
The second GTA 6 trailer and accompanying details have fueled rampant speculation about this potentially record-smashing title's features. Some fans theorize Liberty City might appear either at launch or through post-release content.
As anticipation builds, we'll continue covering all GTA 6 developments—from our comprehensive findings analysis to 70 fresh screenshots breakdowns and technical insights on PS5 Pro visual potential.
