Take-Two CEO Is 'Highly Confident' on New GTA 6 Release Date, But Says When Games Are Released Too Early, 'Bad Things Happen'

GTA 6 is delayed once more, now set for release on November 19, 2026, marking its third postponement since the initial projected launch window. However, publisher Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick remains "highly confident" this will be the final delay.

Speaking to IGN during a pre-announcement call, Zelnick reaffirmed the company’s earlier statement that the delay was solely to allow Rockstar Games sufficient time to refine and perfect the title. “We wanted to give Rockstar the appropriate amount of time to polish the game and ensure it reaches its highest possible quality,” he said.

Originally slated for a fall 2025 release, Grand Theft Auto VI saw its launch pushed to May 2026, with Take-Two and Rockstar again citing the need for additional polish. When questioned again about the new date, Zelnick responded, “I’m highly confident. At the same time, there have been limited instances in the past where extra time was necessary to perfect a title and deliver something truly spectacular—especially when competitors release unfinished products and face negative consequences. That said, I’m highly confident in the new release date.”

Take-Two reported net bookings of $1.96 billion during its strongest second quarter on record, driven by the launches of NBA 2K26, Mafia: The Old Country, and Borderlands 4. Grand Theft Auto V continues to sell millions each quarter, having now surpassed 220 million units sold worldwide.

Meanwhile, Take-Two recently terminated dozens of employees, citing unauthorized disclosure of confidential information on a public forum. The dismissed staff claim they were actually fired for discussing unionization and workplace organization, and have staged protests outside Rockstar North and Take-Two’s UK offices today.