Take-Two Interactive Delays Grand Theft Auto VI to November 2026, Shares Fall

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. announced a significant delay for its flagship title, Grand Theft Auto VI, pushing its release from May 2025 to November 19, 2026. This marks the second public delay for the game, which was initially expected in fall 2025. The company's leadership stated that the Rockstar Games team requires additional time to polish the game to the high standard players expect. This extension in development means continued mounting costs for the project.

Grand Theft Auto VI, set in a fictional Miami, is anticipated to be one of the highest-grossing video games ever, building on the immense success of its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold over 220 million copies.

Despite the positive outlook for the game, the delay significantly impacted investor sentiment. Take-Two's stock experienced a decline of about 7% in after-hours trading, overshadowing the company's second-quarter financial results. For the quarter ended September 30, Take-Two reported bookings of $1.96 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.72 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.46, which was higher than the estimated 94 cents.

Chief Executive Officer Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the difficulty of delaying release dates but emphasized that the company has never regretted such decisions retrospectively. He highlighted the risks other companies have taken by releasing unfinished products.

Impact: This news will directly impact Take-Two Interactive's financial performance and investor confidence, potentially affecting its stock price and future revenue forecasts. The delay may also influence investor sentiment towards other gaming companies awaiting major releases. Rating: 8/10

Difficult terms: * Bookings: In the context of Take-Two Interactive, bookings represent the total amount of products and services sold during a period, recognized as revenue when earned. It is a measure of sales performance. * Adjusted earnings: These are a company's net earnings adjusted for certain non-recurring or non-operational items, providing a clearer picture of the company's ongoing operational profitability. * Extended trading: This refers to trading activity that occurs outside of regular market hours, typically after the stock market closes. * Union busting: This refers to actions taken by employers to prevent employees from forming or joining a labor union, or to disrupt an existing union.