Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the company behind Rockstar Games, remains highly optimistic about the scheduled launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 in May 2026. This isn’t the first instance of him expressing assurance in the game’s on-time release.
During a recent CNBC interview this week, as reported by GameSpot, Zelnick faced questions regarding Grand Theft Auto 6, the immense anticipation surrounding it, and the key question of whether it will indeed meet its projected release date. The interviewer directly inquired about Zelnick’s “level of conviction” that GTA 6 would arrive on May 26, 2026. Zelnick responded with a confident declaration that his “level of conviction is very, very high, obviously.” Following this, the discussion turned to the substantial expectations surrounding the game and the strategies Rockstar and Take-Two are employing to manage them.
Zelnick stated, “We aim to temper expectations, right? Rockstar’s specialty lies in creating extraordinary anticipation and then exceeding it. I am confident that this is their goal. I have no doubt it will be an exceptional game. The rest will unfold as time progresses.”
Some observers interpreted this statement as a definitive sign that GTA 6 will not face further delays. However, it’s important to remember that Zelnick’s public statements, while informed by the game’s development progress, are unlikely to be entirely transparent. Furthermore, he is not directly involved in game development. Setting release dates, even for projects smaller than GTA 6, presents considerable difficulties. Moreover, Zelnick’s predictions have been inaccurate in the past.
In February, speaking with IGN, Zelnick acknowledged the inherent “risk” of delays in game development. However, he expressed optimism about the game’s anticipated launch in 2025. Despite this confidence, within two months, the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 was postponed to May 2026.
It’s unlikely that Zelnick is being deliberately misleading. However, as the leader of a major publicly traded corporation, maintaining a confident outlook regarding the future is part of the role. All is seemingly on track until unforeseen issues arise. While personally, one might hope GTA 6 avoids further delays, the reality is uncertain. The most accurate information likely resides with the development team currently working on GTA 6, and even they may lack absolute certainty regarding meeting the release date. Game development is inherently complex and often comes together in the final stages. Therefore, it’s wise to take pronouncements from executives focused on financial aspects with a grain of salt.
Grand Theft Auto 6, taking place in the vibrant setting of Vice City, is (likely) scheduled for release on May 26, 2026, on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.