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GTA 6 boss makes bold promise ahead of 2026 release date and explains delay

Grand Theft Auto fans had their hopes of playing GTA 6 in 2025 dashed in recent weeks with a delay to May 2026, but Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has suggested that it'll be worth the wait

[GTA 6 Trailer 2 examined: All the details we spotted]

We now know so much more about GTA6 and the people in it(Image: Rockstar)

GTA 6 is the thing of myth, reportedly in development for years, but Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, revealed some interesting information on the company's earnings call this week.

While fans keep working to find even more details in the long-awaited second trailer, Rockstar's parent company has suggested that the game's development actually began in earnest during the pandemic of 2020.

Grand Theft Auto VI began development in earnest in 2020 following the massive success of Red Dead Redemption 2, and the title is now the most anticipated entertainment property of all time, Zelnick said (thanks, VGC).

GTA 6 to be worth the wait?

[This handout courtesy of Rockstar Games taken on December 4, 2023 shows a video grab of the trailer of "Grand Theft Auto 6" video game. The first trailer for "Grand Theft Auto VI" was officially released ahead of schedule December 4, 2023 due to a leak, touting a 2025 release for the next chapter of the massively successful video game franchise. (Photo by Rockstar Games / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Rockstar Games" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by -/Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Images)]

We now have more details on the huge game now Trailer 2 has dropped(Image: Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Ima)

Zelnick has long been pretty open about how he expects Rockstar's upcoming title to be a huge success, but he's now suggested that the delay will bring it even closer to reaching the kind of levels we expect from the infamous developer.

Rockstar expects to release Grand Theft Auto VI on May 26, 2026, which is in our Fiscal Year 2027. I believe affording Rockstar additional time for such a groundbreaking project is a worthy investment, he said when discussing the game's delay.

The ambition and complexity of Grand Theft Auto VI is greater than any previous Rockstar title, and the team is poised to release another astonishing entertainment experience that will exceed players expectations.

Zelnick had previously acknowledged there was a chance of 'slippage' from the game's 2025 release date, and told IGN that as we get closer to completion of a title thats seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear."

[GTA 6 Trailer screenshot]

Will we be flying jets again?

"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.

The idea of giving Rockstar more time to polish what is the most anticipated game in the history of the medium ties in somewhat to reports in recent weeks that suggested the decision was made to avoid crunch at the studio.

At the time of the delay, Rockstar's statement said, "We are very sorry this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game."

"With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

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