GTA VI: Take-Two Locks In New Release Date—The Wait Isn’t Over Yet
Ever since its reveal, GTA VI has been the center of attention, fueling a level of anticipation rarely seen in gaming history. During its latest quarterly earnings call, Take-Two Interactive stepped up to clarify the situation: yes, the game is still in development, and yes, the release date is now officially set in stone. The only question left—can fans hold out that long?
GTA VI’s road to release has been a true marathon, riddled with setbacks. Originally, GTA VI was expected sometime in 2025, with most speculating a fall launch. But in May 2025, Rockstar and Take-Two announced the first official delay, pushing the release to May 26, 2026. Just six months later, another blow hit the community: the date was moved again, this time to November 19, 2026. Take-Two has now reaffirmed this new date in its latest financial report, putting an end to speculation about any earlier launch.
Image credit: Rockstar Games
A release date at last, but still far off
After months of rumors and uncertainty, Take-Two Interactive has officially reassured fans about the GTA VI timeline. In a call with investors held yesterday (February 3), CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed strong confidence in meeting the announced launch window. He confirmed the game will release on November 19, 2026, stating that development is progressing as planned. For now, the release is confirmed only for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no official word on a PC version.
Speaking to several US media outlets, Zelnick acknowledged that previous delays had naturally shaken some fans’ trust. But this time, the message is more resolute. According to him, confidence is much higher now, especially as the game nears a key milestone: its media rollout. In other words, development is far enough along for Rockstar to start the marketing machine—a move they don’t make lightly.
Financial stakes are sky-high
Despite the repeated delays, Take-Two’s financial health is shining, with quarterly revenue beating expectations and annual forecasts revised upward:
- GTA V continues to break records, with all-time high cumulative sales;
- Grand Theft Auto Online remains a powerhouse, with subscription numbers climbing steadily;
- Red Dead Redemption 2 keeps rising, closing in on the ranks of the best-selling games ever.
These strong indicators explain why Take-Two can afford to be patient with GTA VI. The publisher used its robust financial results to reassure investors and show total confidence in the impact of this sixth installment. According to management, its launch is expected to set a new revenue benchmark for the company, strengthen long-term profitability, and boost Take-Two’s financial flexibility for years to come. In short, Grand Theft Auto VI is seen as the driving force for the publisher’s next decade.
Marketing, anticipation, and radio silence… for now
While details about the game remain scarce, Take-Two did drop a key tidbit: the marketing campaign is set to kick off this summer. That’s a big deal, as Rockstar Games is famous for only speaking up when they’re ready to make a splash—a huge one. From that point on, fans can expect a steady, calculated ramp-up:
- a new trailer, possibly with a stronger focus on gameplay;
- in-depth reveals of mechanics and the game world;
- the first press previews, released in small doses to build hype.
Strauss Zelnick has also promised a creative and surprising approach, hinting that Rockstar might once again shake up the rules of video game marketing. Meanwhile, some rumors have been quietly put to rest—especially the one about a digital-only launch: the game will be available in both physical and digital editions from day one.
For now, Rockstar is keeping things tightly under wraps. But one thing’s for sure: when Rockstar flips the switch, the whole industry will be watching. And this time, the hype will only intensify. Until then, fans will have to keep waiting… or hit replay on the game’s second trailer—yet again:
GTA VI, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
