Gamers around the world will need to wait a bit longer to return to Vice City. Take-Two Interactive has officially postponed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 2026, moving it from its previously expected Fall 2025 launch window. The announcement sent shockwaves through the gaming industry — and Wall Street — with Take-Two’s stock dropping 9% in premarket trading.
The much-hyped title, being developed by Rockstar Games, has been anticipated as a once-in-a-decade blockbuster. The delay, though disappointing, is not entirely surprising in an era where game development timelines often stretch due to increasing complexity and demands for higher quality.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the delay, stating, “We fully support Rockstar Games taking the extra time they need to bring their creative vision to life. GTA VI is set to redefine entertainment in gaming.”
While delays in the gaming industry have become more common due to rising development costs and the pressure to release polished, bug-free experiences, the timing of this announcement carries big implications. Moving the launch into fiscal year 2027 will likely affect Take-Two’s earnings forecast for the 2026 financial year, even though the company has reaffirmed its confidence in sequential net booking growth across 2026 and 2027.
Analysts remain optimistic. Wyatt Swanson of D.A. Davidson & Co noted, “Take-Two’s expectations for record-breaking bookings over the next two fiscal years help ease concerns about sales overlaps or cannibalization.”
GTA VI is no ordinary title. Its predecessor, GTA V, launched back in 2013, has sold over 200 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. Its successor is expected to rake in billions annually upon release, cementing Rockstar’s dominance in the industry once again.
The delay isn’t a death blow to Take-Two’s release schedule, however. The company is gearing up for other major launches in the coming year, including Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, which are expected to draw significant attention on their own.
Rockstar’s December 2023 trailer for GTA VI set the internet ablaze, featuring a return to Vice City, a fictional version of Miami, and the introduction of Lucia — the franchise’s first female lead. The teaser hinted at a modern Bonnie-and-Clyde-style duo, and the trailer broke records, earning over 100 million views in 24 hours.
The game was also anticipated to fuel a rebound in the gaming industry after a post-pandemic slowdown. However, economic uncertainty, rising console prices due to U.S. tariffs, and weaker consumer spending are all affecting game publishers’ momentum.
In the end, fans may be frustrated, but Rockstar’s track record of delivering unforgettable experiences offers some reassurance: GTA VI might just be worth the wait.
