Rockstar Games has confirmed yet another delay for the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI, shifting the release to November 19, 2026. The announcement came as part of Take-Two Interactive’s latest quarterly earnings report, extending the wait for one of the most heavily anticipated entertainment launches in recent memory.
The game was previously expected to arrive in May 2026, which itself was a pushed-back timeline from an originally projected release in 2025. With fans having followed the game’s development for more than a decade, the news adds another chapter to the ongoing anticipation surrounding the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Company Emphasizes Quality as the Driving Reason
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the new delay in the company’s letter to shareholders. While no specific technical or production-related issue was cited, he reaffirmed confidence in Rockstar and the scale of the project, saying the team remains focused on delivering what is expected to be a major entertainment event.
“We remain both excited and confident they will deliver an unrivalled blockbuster entertainment experience,” Zelnick said.
In an interview with Variety, Zelnick described the game as aiming to achieve an unprecedented level of impact and scope, noting that Rockstar requested additional development time to ensure the final product reaches the standard the studio believes the game deserves.
Rockstar Addresses the Community Directly
Rockstar also spoke to fans publicly through a statement posted to X, acknowledging that the extended timeline has already been lengthy:
“Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve… 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.”
The message emphasized that the final stages of development are focused on polish—something Rockstar has historically prioritized, even when it has meant shifting release targets.
Layoffs Not Connected to the Delay, Company Says
The updated release timeline comes shortly after reports that 30 to 40 employees had been dismissed from Rockstar’s UK studio. A union claimed the layoffs were tied to efforts to discourage organizing activity. Rockstar, however, stated that the dismissals were related to violating company confidentiality rules.
In its response, the studio said the individuals were involved in distributing confidential information in public forums, which it said violates employment policies. It also stated that the dismissals had nothing to do with union membership or collective organization.
Take-Two echoed that position, with a spokesperson noting that the two issues “are entirely separate.”
Financial Results Show Higher Revenue but Continued Net Loss
Take-Two also reported its latest quarterly financial performance for the July through September period. Analysts had forecast earnings of 62 cents per share in losses on $1.74 billion in revenue. Instead, the company posted a slightly larger loss of 73 cents per share, totaling $133.9 million, but revenue came in slightly higher at $1.77 billion.
Net bookings for the quarter reached $1.96 billion, surpassing earlier projections. Take-Two also reported $116.7 million in non-GAAP earnings.
The company listed several titles as significant revenue drivers during the quarter, including:
- NBA 2K26 and NBA 2K25
- Borderlands 4
- GTA V and GTA Online
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Empires & Puzzles
- Words With Friends
- Mafia: The Old Country
- Toy Blast
Even more than a decade after release, GTA V continues to deliver strong earnings thanks to sustained engagement with GTA Online.
Other Projects Remain in Development Without Dates
Alongside the GTA VI news, Take-Two updated its release calendar. Two notable upcoming titles still do not have confirmed launch windows:
- The next installment in the BioShock franchise
- Top Goal, a soccer-themed title from Zynga
Both projects remain in development with “TBA” timelines.
Despite the GTA VI delay, Take-Two raised its bookings forecast for the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2026. The company now expects between $6.4 billion and $6.5 billion in net bookings.
For the upcoming quarter, it projects $1.55 to $1.6 billion in bookings, with a net loss per share anticipated between 35 cents and 49 cents.
