Take-Two CEO Backs Rockstar's Vision Despite GTA 6 Setback

And so, it has begun. Just mere minutes after Rockstar Games confirmed that we all won't be playing Grand Theft Auto 6 come Christmas time, addressing the largest elephant in the video gaming room, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has released a statement.

Here is the full statement given by Zelnick in regards to the GTA 6 delay:

" 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. 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."

Take-Two stocks had surged at least twice over the past six months, peaking at record highs as the entire gaming world waited for Take-Two to confirm the official release date for GTA 6.

Unfortunately, while former Rockstar North lead director Obbe Vermeij and an anonymous developer had always been vocal about a potential GTA 6 delay, most expected that the game would be ready this holiday season.

After all, after reportedly spending over two billion and roughly a decade in its development, all the while flirting with controversy with its return-to-office mandate, surely GTA 6 would be ready later this year, right?

Alas, this isn't the case.

It's somehow prophetic now that Rockstar chose to use Tom Petty's "Love is a Long Road" for the first GTA 6 trailer because GTA 6 has indeed been a long time coming.

The only good news here is that other video game developers can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that GTA 6 has an official release date.

Unless Rockstar decides to delay GTA 6 (again), possibly to later in 2026, which can still happen (it happened to Grand Theft Auto V before), we can expect to start seeing more companies confirm when their upcoming games for this fiscal year are coming out.

As for Take-Two, all eyes will still be on its May 15 earnings call. It will be interesting to see what it's going to do to try and make sure that Take-Two doesn't fall too short of its promises.

Perhaps there's a reason Ned Luke has been making rounds lately, talking about a DLC for Michael De Santa, and responding to a particularly interesting GTA 6 theory.