Take-Two Interactive announced on Friday that it is delaying the release of Grand Theft Auto VI by six months, pushing the launch to November 19, 2026. The stock fell about 7% in extended trading following the news.
The company said the delay allows Rockstar Games, the game’s developer, extra time to ensure the game meets the expected level of quality. This marks the second delay for the highly anticipated title, which was initially scheduled for fall 2025 and then moved to May 2026.
Grand Theft Auto VI is set in a fictional version of Miami and is expected to be one of the most profitable video games ever. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold over 220 million copies, making it the second-best-selling game of all time after Minecraft.
Take-Two’s quarterly results were strong, beating Wall Street expectations. For the second quarter ended September 30, the company reported bookings of $1.96 billion, surpassing the estimated $1.72 billion. Adjusted earnings reached $1.46 per share, higher than the forecast of 94 cents.
Chief Executive Officer Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the disappointment caused by the delay but defended the decision. “It’s always painful when we move a date,” he said on an investor call. “We’ve never regretted it in retrospect.” Zelnick noted that releasing unfinished games can harm a company’s reputation, as seen with competitors who launched incomplete products.
The delay comes shortly after Rockstar Games fired over 30 staff members, prompting criticism from British labor organizers who accused the company of union-busting. Take-Two stated that the employees were dismissed for leaking confidential information.
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