Take-Two CEO on GTA 6 Delay: 'Painful but Necessary for Creative Vision'

Back in February, I had the chance to discuss with Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, about the confidence level surrounding the then-anticipated fall 2025 release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). At that time, Zelnick expressed a strong sense of assurance, stating he felt "really good about it." However, just three months later, the game's release was postponed to May 26, 2026, which came as no surprise to many in the gaming community.

Curious about what had changed in such a short span, I revisited the topic with Zelnick during a recent interview, aligning with the release of Take-Two's latest financial results. Zelnick explained that as GTA 6 approached its initial release date, the necessity for additional 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," he stated. He further elaborated that a slight extension would enable Rockstar Games to fully realize their creative vision without compromise, an approach he wholeheartedly supports.

The delay pushes GTA 6's release outside of Take-Two’s current fiscal year, impacting the company's short-term financial projections. Despite this setback, Zelnick remains optimistic about the future, citing an impressive lineup of upcoming titles including Gearbox's Borderlands 4, Hangar 13's Mafia: The Old Country, and new installments in the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series. "I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today," Zelnick assured. He acknowledged the disappointment that comes with delays but emphasized the importance of allowing development teams to strive for perfection.

GTA 6 Jason Duval Screenshots

View 6 Images

Returning to the topic of GTA 6's new release date, I posed the same question to Zelnick about his confidence in meeting the May 26, 2026, target. This time, his response was even more definitive: "I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we've been very good about reaching it." This suggests a high level of confidence in sticking to the new date, though as with any major project, unforeseen challenges can arise.

The release of GTA 6 Trailer 2 and the accompanying information from Rockstar has fueled a whirlwind of speculation about what fans can expect from what is poised to be the biggest video game release ever. Some enthusiasts speculate that Liberty City might make an appearance in GTA 6, either at launch or as post-launch downloadable content (DLC).

As we eagerly await further updates, there's plenty more to explore about GTA 6, including a comprehensive breakdown of all the details uncovered so far, a gallery featuring 70 new screenshots, and expert analysis on how the game might perform on the PS5 Pro.