GTA 6 Boss Confident in 2026 Release, Teases More Rockstar Projects
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed strong confidence that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on schedule on May 26, 2026, following its recent delay from the original Fall 2025 window. Speaking to CNBC, Zelnick said his “level of conviction is very, very high, obviously” that Rockstar will deliver on time.
Rockstar’s Focus on Perfection
Zelnick reiterated that Rockstar’s approach has always been about setting extraordinary expectations and then exceeding them. He praised the studio’s drive for “perfection” but cautioned against celebrating too early:
“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.”
The delay into 2026, he said, was part of Rockstar’s commitment to polish and refinement. Historically, delays have been common for the studio, as its goal is to ensure its games meet and surpass, sky-high expectations.
Other Rockstar Games in Development
While GTA 6 remains Rockstar’s primary focus, Zelnick confirmed that the studio has multiple other projects in the works. Although no titles were named, reports suggest:
- A GTA IV remaster
- A Red Dead Redemption II port for the Nintendo Switch 2
- Next-gen editions of Red Dead Redemption II for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Collaboration with Remedy on Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes
Some of these projects are rumored to launch in late 2025, giving Rockstar fans plenty to anticipate even before GTA 6 arrives.
Industry Impact and Sales Expectations
Despite the delay, analysts still expect GTA 6 to be a blockbuster success, with forecasts of up to 40 million sales in its first year. A PC release is also expected later, creating a second wave of sales.
The game’s shift into 2026 was seen as a blow to the wider gaming industry, with some market watchers previously counting on a 2025 release to boost overall revenue. Even so, 2025 won’t be without heavy hitters, as both Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6 are set to launch, marking the first time in years that both franchises will release new entries in the same year.
Zelnick’s confidence suggests GTA 6 is firmly on track for May 2026, but Rockstar isn’t rushing. With multiple rumored remasters and ports alongside the most anticipated game of the decade, the studio’s pipeline looks stronger than ever.
