Take-Two Interactive CEO drops hint at original GTA 6 release window; fans say it's a 'calculated move to perfection'
Grand Theft Auto VI, a.k.a. GTA 6, finally released the second on May 7, 2025, after a long wait, but apart from that, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has recently opened up the original release window, which was likely late November or early December.
During a new interview, Zelnick briefly discussed GTA 6's new release date and noted that it is a 'pretty short delay'. The CEO then went on to state that it is less than six months from its original launch date, reported Game Rant.
GTA 6 delay is a short one
The world was taken aback by Rockstar Games' breathtaking debut GTA 6 video in December 2023. However, the game's first announcement only mentioned a 2025 release date; the parent company of Rockstar would subsequently specify that the game will be available in the autumn of 2025.
As months have passed, Rockstar has issued no new announcements on the title, screenshots, or video. Earlier the studio stated this month that GTA 6 had been postponed and will now be available on May 6, 2026, despite rising rumours of a possible delay on social media.
What did Strauss Zelnick say about the delay?
While the delay looks like a huge setback, Zelnick stated that it is actually 'less than six months'. According to a new interview with CNBC, Zelnick said that the delay is a short one, before noting that historically, when Rockstar has set a specific date, they do not delay it even further.
Given that GTA 6 is now debuting in the last days of May 2026, Zelnick's remarks regarding the delay being less than six months appear to validate Rockstar's original goal of releasing the game in late November or early December.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick interviewed on CNBC: • "Rockstar Games are trying to create the best thing anyone's ever seen in entertainment"• Asked if he played it, says he doesn't play video-games but gives opinions (0:55)• Says delay is very little, only less than six… pic.twitter.com/vb9fc17zZq
Fans react to the further delay of GTA 6
As soon as the interview of Strauss's interview surfaced on social media, fans shared their reactions; one said, "It is surprising and kinda not to hear, honestly. But I'm glad Take-Two just lets Rockstar do their thing without any interference unlike other AAA publishers, so I can give Strauss Zelnick some credit there."
"Him not being a gamer at all has me glad his input has no weight when it comes to GTA 6 lol I'm sure he's given Rockstar advice and they make him believe they're gonna implement it but then just laugh after he leaves 😆"
It is surprising and kinda not to hear, honestly. But I'm glad Take-Two just lets Rockstar do their thing without any interference unlike other AAA publishers, so I can give Strauss Zelnick some credit there.
"That's exactly what market dominance sounds like. When your product isn't just a game, but the benchmark for all entertainment, delays aren't setbacks, they're calculated moves to perfection. The smartest money will be on Rockstar."
That's exactly what market dominance sounds like. When your product isn't just a game, but the benchmark for all entertainment, delays aren't setbacks, they're calculated moves to perfection. The smartest money will be on Rockstar.
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