Take-Two CEO Expresses ‘Very, Very High Conviction’ in GTA 6’s New Release Date

The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 has reached a fever pitch, with fans dissecting every detail and every comment from the publisher and developer. Following the game’s official delay from late 2025 to May 26, 2026, the question on everyone’s mind is whether this new date will stick. In a recent interview with CNBC, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed these concerns head-on, expressing a “very, very high” level of conviction in the new release date. This statement, while reassuring to many, comes with the caveat of Rockstar Games’ historical tendency for delays, a fact that has left a segment of the fan base cautiously optimistic.

Zelnick’s comments were made in the wake of Take-Two’s recent financial results, and they provided a rare glimpse into the company’s thinking regarding its most anticipated title. He explained that the initial delay was a necessary decision to give the development team at Rockstar Games the time they needed to “achieve its creative vision with no limitations.” This emphasis on quality over speed is a core tenet of Rockstar’s development philosophy, one that has resulted in some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful games of all time, including Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V. The delay, while a blow to Take-Two’s short-term financial projections, was ultimately seen as a move to ensure the final product meets the impossibly high standards of both the developers and the audience.

When asked about his confidence in the new May 26, 2026 date, Zelnick’s response was direct and unhesitating. He stated, “I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we’ve been very good about reaching it.” This is a key distinction. The previous “late 2025” window was just that—a window. The new date is a concrete, specific day, which suggests that Rockstar has a much clearer picture of the game’s development timeline. Zelnick also emphasized that GTA 6 is the “primary focus” of Rockstar Games, even with other projects reportedly in the works. This commitment of resources and attention to detail is a powerful indicator that the new release date is a serious and achievable goal.

The Evolving Narrative Around GTA 6 and Its Impact

The conversation around GTA 6 is about more than just a release date; it’s about the broader state of the gaming industry. Zelnick also touched on the game’s potential pricing, stating that the company’s goal is to “deliver more value than what we charge.” With the industry moving towards $80 titles, it is widely speculated that GTA 6 could be one of the first major releases to carry this price tag. Zelnick’s comments suggest that if a higher price is implemented, it will be justified by the sheer quality and scope of the game, a strategy that many believe will be a success given the immense cultural impact of the franchise. Investment firms have already predicted that the game could generate close to $8 billion in revenue within the first two months, making it one of the most profitable launches in entertainment history.

For fans, the continued dialogue from Take-Two’s CEO serves as both a source of information and a reason for continued speculation. While some in the community remain skeptical, pointing to Zelnick’s previous comments before the first delay, others see his current conviction as a genuine sign of progress. The sheer scale and ambition of GTA 6, with its massive budget and promise to redefine open-world gaming, have created a unique situation where every piece of information, no matter how small, becomes a major news story. The game’s development has been a public spectacle since the unprecedented leak of unfinished footage, and the anticipation has only grown since the release of the second official trailer, which broke records for viewership.

As the May 26, 2026 release date approaches, the pressure on Rockstar Games to deliver a flawless, generation-defining experience is at an all-time high. Zelnick’s comments are a powerful vote of confidence in the studio’s ability to not only meet but exceed these “extraordinary expectations.” The game’s new release date is no longer a vague promise but a firm target, and for a franchise that has a history of changing the industry, that certainty is exactly what fans and investors alike have been waiting for. The countdown to Vice City is on, and all signs point to a launch that will be nothing short of a monumental event.