Take-Two struggles with GTA 6 delay, stock falls as game’s release slips to 2026

Take-Two Interactive, the owner of Rockstar Games, was dealt a heavy blow following the news that Grand Theft Auto VI would be postponed. Initially, the game was scheduled to launch in Fall 2025, but now the release date has been pushed back to May 26, 2026. The news made Take-Two's shares plummet, signaling a sharp change in investor mood and questioning the future of the company financially.


The delay of GTA 6 has shaken investor confidence in Take-Two Interactive, resulting in a sharp decline in the company’s stock price. On the announcement, made moments before the Nasdaq opened on Friday, Take-Two's stock fell by almost 10%, from $235 to $215. While there was some bounce back, the stock still indicated weakness, especially in after-hours trading. The timing of the announcement was important since Take-Two had already held out hope that the game would be available by Fall 2025, which created increasing optimism among investors.
This delay is a significant change, as GTA VI was a pillar of Take-Two's projected financial performance. The release of the game was supposed to bring significant revenue to the current fiscal year, but now it is out of Take-Two's current financial projections and into FY 2027. The delay also throws a wrench into the company's hoped-for record net bookings for Fiscal 2026, a claim that was made part of the company's recent communication with shareholders.

Even with the misstep on GTA 6, Take-Two has a few releases on the horizon that should stabilize investor mood. Games like Mafia: The Old County, which is scheduled to release in 2025, and Borderlands 4, which has a now-guaranteed release date of September, should work to counter the financial blow of the delay. And the perennial release of NBA 2K continues to be a reliable cash cow for the company.
To reassure shareholders, Take-Two has noted its confidence that FY 2026 and FY 2027 net bookings will be at record levels, ignoring the postponement of GTA VI. This reaffirmation is an attempt to divert focus to the company's overall portfolio and emphasize its long-term growth potential.
Although the postponement of GTA VI is certainly a setback for both investors and fans, Take-Two's varied portfolio of games provides some comfort. Whether new material or information regarding GTA VI will restore investor confidence is yet to be seen, but it is certain that the company will have to change its strategy as it faces the challenges that lie ahead.
Also Read: Rockstar announced a delay, but their GTA 6 art still says ‘coming 2025’