Strauss Zelnick Addresses Shareholders Amid GTA 6 Delay and Stock Decline

Strauss Zelnick, the head of Take-Two Interactive, has taken steps to calm the nerves of shareholders following the recent delay of GTA 6, which was announced earlier today by Rockstar. Originally slated for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, the game will now hit the shelves on May 26, 2026. This adjustment shifts the anticipated launch from Take-Two's 2026 financial year to its 2027 financial year.

The delay led to a sharp 7.98% drop in Take-Two's stock value during early trading. In response, Take-Two released a statement on its corporate website, reaffirming its forecast for record Net Bookings (revenue) in both Fiscal 2026 and 2027.

Zelnick personally addressed the delay, expressing Take-Two's full support for Rockstar's decision to take additional time. "We support fully Rockstar Games taking additional time to realize their creative vision for Grand Theft Auto VI, which promises to be a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations," Zelnick stated.

He further emphasized Take-Two's dedication to excellence and its anticipation of a "multi-year" growth period. "While we take the movement of our titles seriously and appreciate the vast and deep global anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence. As we continue to release our phenomenal pipeline, we expect to deliver a multi-year period of growth in our business and enhanced value for our shareholders."

With the delay pushing GTA 6's massive revenue into the next fiscal year, attention turns to Take-Two's other ventures. The company, which also owns 2K Games and 2K Sports, has several titles lined up. Gearbox's Borderlands 4 is set for a September release, Mafia: The Old Country is slated for this year, and NBA 2K26 is expected from 2K Sports. Looking further ahead, the next BioShock and Ken Levine's Judas are in development.

However, none of these titles are expected to fill the financial void left by GTA 6's delay. Fans of the series, while not surprised by the delay, had hoped for at least a new screenshot to ease their disappointment.