Take-Two CEO Says That Grand Theft Auto VI Will Release on Time
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, is once again expressing strong confidence that Grand Theft Auto VI will not face another delay from its newly set May 26, 2026 release date.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Zelnick was asked about Rockstar’s ability to hit the current launch schedule. His response was clear:
"My level of conviction is very, very high, obviously. Rockstar does have a lot of other things going on, but this is of course the primary focus."
This renewed reassurance follows a history of similar public statements from Zelnick. Before the game was delayed out of its original 2025 window, he had on multiple occasions projected a high degree of certainty that Rockstar would deliver the game on time. At that stage, there was no exact release date, only a general year, which allowed Rockstar some flexibility.
Given GTA VI’s massive scale and importance, the decision to lock in a precise date suggests strong internal confidence. However, some may take Zelnick’s optimism with caution, as past reassurances were ultimately followed by the delay announcement.
Rockstar has reportedly been focused on GTA VI “in earnest” since 2020, despite early conceptual work dating back years. Zelnick has previously described the delay to 2026 as an “important” move, ensuring the studio had the time needed to “seek perfection” for one of the most anticipated games in history.
While Zelnick stood by his confidence during the CNBC interview, he also tempered expectations:
"We try not to pump expectations. Rockstar's whole stock and trade is to have these extraordinary expectations and still beat them. I know that's their goal. I know it's going to be an amazing game."
All eyes will be on the studio in the months leading up to May 26, 2026, as Rockstar aims to deliver on over a decade of anticipation since Grand Theft Auto V’s release.
Do you believe Rockstar can meet the May 2026 release date for GTA VI, or will history repeat itself with another delay?
