‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ release delayed to 2026, – Business News
Take-Two Interactive on Friday pushed the release of “Grand Theft Auto VI” to May 26, 2026, extending the anticipate probably the most hotly anticipated title in video-gaming historical past and sending its shares tumbling practically 7%.
The title, developed by Rockstar Games, was beforehand slated for a fall 2025 launch.
The franchise is the crown jewel in Take-Two’s portfolio, accounting for a vital share of income and participant engagement, and expectations for the upcoming title have been baked into Wall Street forecasts for months.
Fans have been ready for the sport for over a decade and analysts anticipate it to be an on the spot hit. Above, a scene from a trailer of “Grand Theft Auto VI.” Getty Images
Fans have been ready for the sport for over a decade and analysts anticipate it to be an on the spot hit.
The earlier entry, “Grand Theft Auto V,” launched in 2013 and has offered over 200 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video video games ever.
“We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking blockbuster entertainment experience,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick mentioned.
Delays have grow to be commonplace in fashionable recreation development as studios grapple with rising manufacturing prices and growing strain from gamers to ship polished experiences at launch.
The postponement now pushes “GTA VI” out of Take-Two’s fiscal 2026 release window and into 2027, which can possible deliver down reserving expectations for the subsequent fiscal 12 months.
The company reiterated its expectations for sequential will increase in internet bookings for fiscal 2026 and 2027.
Investors await more particulars when Take-Two experiences its fourth-quarter earnings on May 15.
Delays have grow to be commonplace in fashionable recreation development as studios grapple with rising manufacturing prices and growing strain from gamers to ship polished experiences at launch. AP
Despite the delay, Take-Two has a number of titles lined up for the subsequent fiscal 12 months, together with “Borderlands 4” and “Mafia: The Old Country,” that are additionally anticipated to be large launches.
“Given that Take-Two reiterated expectations of record level net bookings in both FY’26 and FY’27, we think this alleviates some of the potential concerns around sales cannibalization in FY’26,” D.A. Davidson & Co analyst Wyatt Swanson mentioned.
Rockstar Games unveiled the primary trailer for “GTA VI” in December 2023, confirming the sport’s return to Vice City, a fictional tackle Miami, and introducing Lucia, the franchise’s first feminine lead.
The teaser hinted at a modern-day Bonnie-and-Clyde duo and drew more than 100 million views within 24 hours.
The franchise is the crown jewel in Take-Two’s portfolio, accounting for a vital share of income and participant engagement. REUTERS
The response to the delay was combined on social media.
Some customers complained about ready longer whereas others welcomed the extra polish.
The transfer may even affect the broader industry as “GTA VI” was anticipated to be a main catalyst for sector growth at a time when US tariffs have pushed up gaming console costs and sparked a pullback in shopper spending.
