Grand Theft Auto 6 remains on track for its May 26, 2026 release date, according to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who expressed strong confidence in Rockstar’s ability to meet the new timeline.
“My level of conviction is very, very high, obviously,” Zelnick told CNBC in a recent interview. The game was previously set for fall 2025 before Rockstar announced the delay earlier this year.
While Zelnick appears certain about the release date, he acknowledged that delivering the final product still requires significant work. “While I couldn’t be more optimistic than I am, all of us have to do the work. We have to deliver something great to consumers and then the consumers are going to tell us just how great it is,” he said.
Industry analysts predict GTA 6 will sell approximately 40 million copies in its first year. This sales projection primarily centers on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S users, as the game will initially launch only on these platforms. A PC version is expected later, though Rockstar hasn’t announced when PC players might get access.
The second trailer for GTA 6, which was captured entirely on PS5, has already broken records as “the biggest video launch of all time” according to Rockstar. The trailer has accumulated over 127 million views, demonstrating the enormous interest in the game.
Behind the scenes, reports suggest some within Rockstar didn’t view the original fall 2025 window as realistic even before the 2026 date was announced. This context has led some industry observers to frame upcoming Take-Two earnings calls as opportunities to reconfirm the timeline rather than announce further delays.
Similar Posts
Amid discussions about the game’s delay, rumors about GTA 6’s content have been circulating. One unverified claim suggests the game’s story mode could be approximately 75 hours long – significantly longer than both GTA 5 (around 32 hours) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (approximately 50 hours). This rumor, which hasn’t been confirmed by Rockstar, details a structure including a 2-hour prologue and five chapters of varying lengths.
The delay and lengthy development time have created concerns among the player community about story spoilers. Many fans on social media platforms like Reddit are debating whether to rush through the campaign to avoid having key moments spoiled or take their time to enjoy the experience fully.
If GTA 6 matches the commercial success of its predecessor, GTA 5, players can expect multiple re-releases and potential remasters in the years following its initial launch. GTA 5 continues to sell well years after its original release, setting a high benchmark for the franchise.
Zelnick has previously commented on Take-Two’s pricing philosophy, stating the company aims to “deliver more value than we charge.” This stance may factor into how the rumored 75-hour campaign length and other features are positioned as the release approaches.
GTA 6 will be set in Leonida (the game’s version of Florida) featuring Vice City, with protagonists Jason and Lucia in what’s been described as a Bonnie-and-Clyde-inspired narrative.