Copyright Deadline
The maker of hotly anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto VI has delayed its release another six months and now plans it for November 19, 2026. The postponement follows news last May that the game was being pushed from the end of 2025 to May 26, 2026. Publisher Rockstar Games, a division of Take Two Interactive, apologized to fans Thursday on social media. “We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait,” the company said, “but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve.” Thanking game players for their “patience and support,” Rockstar added, “While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern day Vice City.” News of the delay came as the company reported fiscal second quarter earnings, with revenue rising 31% from the year-earlier quarter to $1.77 billion. Net losses narrowed to 73 cents a share from $2.08 in the year-ago period. Last May, in a similarly worded message, Rockstar said it needed more time in order to “deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve,” adding, “We are very sorry that this is later than you expected.” The GTA franchise, which is set in the fictional Florida metropolis of Vice City, launched in 2002. Its last installment came out in 2013. According to industry estimates, Grand Theft Auto V has sold more than 210 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of all time. Take Two shares fell 7% in after-hours trading on the news. They have gained 37% in 2025 to date. When it delayed the game last spring, the company reiterated its expectations for sequential increases in net bookings in fiscal 2026 and 2027, at record levels. The release of Grand Theft Auto VI will be during the company’s fiscal 2027. “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,” Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in a May statement. “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.”
