Take Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI preorders are significantly exceeding the company's initial expectations, just days before Rockstar Games launches its highly anticipated open world game on November 19, 2026. Despite the extraordinary demand, the publisher has decided to maintain its fiscal 2027 net bookings forecast of $8 billion to $8.2 billion, preferring to evaluate actual launch performance before adjusting its financial expectations. Zelnick also provided a positive update on the next BioShock, confirming that development is progressing following several years of production difficulties.
According to Take Two's official Q2 FY2027 financial results, published on November 9, the company generated $1.60 billion in net bookings, representing an 18% decline compared with $1.96 billion during the previous year. Revenue also decreased from $1.77 billion to $1.50 billion, while recurrent consumer spending accounted for 81% of total net bookings. NBA 2K27 delivered the second most successful launch in franchise history, selling more than 4 million copies, although its performance remained below management expectations. Nevertheless, the approaching GTA VI release has strengthened the company's outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Zelnick explained that preorder demand has exceeded even the ambitious expectations established earlier this year. The publisher has declined to disclose official sales figures, although market research firm Sensor Tower estimates approximately 7.71 million digital preorders as of November 3. These figures remain independent estimates rather than confirmed sales. The results build upon the extraordinary preorder demand reported earlier this year, demonstrating the commercial momentum surrounding Rockstar's upcoming release.
"We're just not updating our numbers right now because we are so close to the launch."
— Quote by: Strauss Zelnick, Take Two CEO.
With GTA VI launching November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, Take Two expects the release to become one of the most important commercial milestones in its history. The publisher also confirmed that GTA V has now sold nearly 235 million copies worldwide, demonstrating the extraordinary longevity of Rockstar's previous installment. However, no official PC release date has been announced.
Beyond GTA VI, Zelnick confirmed that the next BioShock remains in active development at Cloud Chamber. The project has experienced significant production difficulties, including leadership changes and layoffs affecting approximately 80 employees in 2025. However, following the appointment of veteran developer Rod Fergusson, the publisher believes the project is progressing in a more positive direction.
"It's still in development. We feel very good about how it's going."
— Quote by: Strauss Zelnick, Take Two CEO.
The new BioShock reportedly targets a late 2027 release, although Take Two has not officially confirmed a launch window. The publisher also discussed Project Ethos, its upcoming free to play shooter, acknowledging that an earlier public beta failed to meet expectations but that subsequent development changes have improved confidence in the project.
GTA VI exceeding Take Two's expectations before launch demonstrates the extraordinary commercial influence Rockstar Games continues to have on the gaming industry. However, keeping financial forecasts unchanged is a reasonable decision, particularly when preorder reservations do not necessarily translate into completed sales.
The more important question for PC gamers remains Rockstar's continued decision to release GTA VI exclusively on consoles initially. With PC gaming representing a substantial part of the global market, delaying an official PC version limits consumer choice and encourages players to purchase additional hardware simply to access the game.
The positive BioShock update is also welcome, especially following years of uncertainty surrounding Cloud Chamber. However, Take Two should prioritize development quality and creative freedom rather than rushing another major franchise release to capitalize on GTA VI's financial momentum.
With GTA VI already exceeding preorder expectations, do you believe Rockstar should accelerate its official PC release, and are you still interested in the next BioShock after years of development challenges?
