Back in February, I had the opportunity to speak with Strauss Zelnick, the head of Take-Two, about the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). At that time, Zelnick expressed high confidence in hitting the fall 2025 release window, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, GTA 6's release was postponed to May 26, 2026, a move that perhaps surprised no one in the gaming community.
Curious about the shift, I revisited the topic with Zelnick during a recent interview, which coincided with the release of Take-Two's latest financial results. He explained that as the game neared its launch, the need for further refinement became evident. "As we get closer to completion of a title that's seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear," Zelnick remarked. He emphasized that the slight delay would allow Rockstar Games to fully realize their creative vision without any compromises, a decision he fully supported.
The delay of GTA 6 into the next financial year poses a temporary setback for Take-Two's financial projections. However, Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's upcoming lineup, which includes Gearbox’s Borderlands 4, Hangar 13’s Mafia: The Old Country, and new entries in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," he said. Despite the frustrations that come with delays, Zelnick underscored the importance of supporting the development teams in their pursuit of excellence.
GTA 6 Jason Duval Screenshots
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Revisiting my February question, I asked Zelnick again about his confidence in meeting the new release date of May 26, 2026. His response was notably more assured: "I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we've been very good about reaching it." This statement suggests a strong belief in achieving the new deadline, although in the unpredictable world of game development, nothing is ever guaranteed.
The release of GTA 6 Trailer 2, along with detailed information from Rockstar, has ignited widespread speculation about the game's content. Some fans are even theorizing that Liberty City might make an appearance in GTA 6, either at launch or through post-launch downloadable content (DLC).
As we eagerly await more news on GTA 6, there's plenty to explore in the meantime. 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.
