Why GTA 6 Was Delayed: explains Take-Two CEO

After months of confidently stating that Grand Theft Auto VI would arrive in Fall 2025, Take-Two Interactive has officially pushed the release date to May 26, 2026. While the delay didn’t come as a complete shock to fans, many were curious about the reason behind the shift. In a recent interview with IGN, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick offered a direct explanation.

The Push for Perfection

According to Zelnick, the delay was not due to major issues, but rather the pursuit of complete polish and creative freedom for Rockstar Games.

“As we get closer to completion of a title that’s seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear,” Zelnick said. “In this case there was an opportunity with a small amount of incremental time, we thought, to make sure Rockstar Games achieves its creative vision with no limitations. And I supported of course that approach.”

Rockstar Games, known for its high production standards and attention to detail, seems to be using the extra time to fine-tune what is arguably the most anticipated game of the decade.

Delays Are Painful — But Necessary

While no publisher enjoys pushing a major title back, Zelnick emphasized the importance of backing the development team as they work toward their ambitious goals.

“I feel really good about how Fiscal 26 looks sitting here today,” he said. “And while of course, delays pain me — how could they not? — the most important thing to do is to support your teams in their search for perfection.”

Despite the GTA 6 delay, Take-Two still has a strong lineup scheduled for release in the coming year. Key titles include Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, giving the publisher a solid foundation in the interim.

Can We Trust the New Date?

Naturally, the next question is whether the new May 26, 2026 release window is final. Zelnick was asked the same question he fielded earlier this year — and this time, he seemed even more confident in the timeline.

“I think historically when we set a specific date, generally speaking, we’ve been very good about reaching it.”

While fans remain cautiously optimistic, this level of certainty is reassuring. With GTA 6 having been in development for years and excitement at an all-time high, many are hoping the new date will stick.

A Little More Waiting

Though it’s disappointing to wait a few extra months, the reasoning behind the delay seems sound. Rockstar wants GTA 6 to be perfect, and Take-Two is giving them the space to get it right. If all goes according to plan, just one year from now, players will finally get their hands on the next evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series.

Until then, we wait — and hope the next delay never comes.