The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI has been officially moved to May 26, 2026, a shift from its previous Fall 2025 window. This adjustment is projected to cost the wider games industry an estimated $2.7 billion in 2025 revenue, according to analysts. Despite the significant financial ripple effect, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, maintains that the new release date is on track and the delay is a necessary step to perfect the game.
The hefty $2.7 billion figure, highlighted in a report by Ampere Analysis, underscores the colossal financial weight GTA 6 carries for the entire gaming ecosystem. This projected loss for 2025 isn’t a vanishing sum but rather a deferral of expected income, now anticipated to land in the following fiscal year with the game’s 2026 launch. The delay is expected to impact various sectors, including console sales, game purchases, and overall market growth for the original 2025 window.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the revised timeline, emphasizing the commitment to delivering an unparalleled experience. He stated that the decision to push back the release was made to afford Rockstar Games the additional time needed to polish the title to meet the “creative vision” and “exceed players’ expectations.” Zelnick expressed his confidence in hitting the newly established May 26, 2026, release date, noting the company’s historical reliability once a specific launch date is announced.
The initial announcement of a Fall 2025 release had set industry expectations for a significant revenue surge. The subsequent delay, while a strategic move by Take-Two to ensure quality, has prompted recalculations across the market. Other game publishers are reportedly adjusting their own release schedules in response to the new void in late 2025 and the anticipated dominance of GTA 6 in 2026.
While the delay represents a short-term financial adjustment for the industry and Take-Two itself—with the company’s stock experiencing fluctuations following the news—the long-term outlook for GTA 6 remains overwhelmingly positive. The game is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated entertainment properties of all time, with expectations of record-breaking sales upon its eventual release.
Take-Two remains steadfast in its belief that the extra development time is a “worthy investment” to ensure Grand Theft Auto VI achieves its groundbreaking potential and delivers the high level of quality synonymous with the franchise. For now, the industry braces for a 2025 without GTA 6, while all eyes remain fixed on the new Spring 2026 launch.
