Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says GTA 6 will “exceed players’ expectations” and calls it Rockstar’s most ambitious game yet, with new details shared during the latest earnings call.
Few video game releases have gotten as much excitement as Grand Theft Auto 6. With every new leak, trailer, and official update, fans can’t help but talk about what could be the most anticipated launch of the decade.
Earlier this month, Rockstar dropped the second official trailer for GTA 6, racking up millions of views almost instantly. With that, the company confirmed a major delay: GTA 6 is now set for release on May 26, 2026, instead of the previously announced 2025 window.
GTA 6 Sets the Bar Higher Than Ever
In the latest earnings call, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick spoke at length about the status of GTA 6 and why the delay was necessary. Zelnick made it clear that the extra development time isn’t just about fixing bugs or adding a bit of polish; it’s about giving Rockstar Games the space it needs to achieve its full creative vision.
According to Zelnick, the sheer scale and complexity of GTA 6 “is greater than any previous Rockstar title,” and the team is working hard to create an entertainment experience that will “exceed players’ expectations.”
Zelnick’s confidence in the team couldn’t be more obvious. He pointed out that, while waiting longer for a game like GTA 6 is painful for everyone, including himself, the most important thing is to let Rockstar chase perfection.
“The ambition and complexity of Grand Theft Auto VI is greater than any previous Rockstar title, and the team is poised to release another astonishing entertainment experience that will exceed players’ expectations,” he said during the call.
Why Did Rockstar Delay GTA 6 to 2026?
The conversation didn’t stop there. In a newly published interview with IGN, Zelnick shed more light on the decision to push the release date back. He mentioned that as the project got closer to completion, it became clear that a bit of extra time could make all the difference.
“I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today,” he told IGN. “And while of course, delays pain me — how could they not? — the most important thing to do is to support your teams in their search for perfection.”
Zelnick also reassured fans that, historically, Take-Two and Rockstar have been reliable about hitting launch dates once they’re announced, so missing the new May 2026 target would be a real shock.
With all the speculation around potential GTA 6 locations and rumored features, it’s clear that expectations are sky-high. Are you excited for what could be Rockstar’s biggest game ever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
