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Prior to this month, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick assured investors that Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 6 was on track for a 2025 debut, while also acknowledging the possibility of a delay. However, the game was pushed back to a May 2026 release earlier this month. Now, Zelnick has shared his reaction to GTA 6's delay after offering an explanation.

While speaking with IGN, Zelnick noted that GTA 6 needed the extra time for the developers to polish the title and turn it into become the game that fans want it to be.

"As we get closer to completion of a title that's seeking perfection, the needs or lack thereof, for continued polish become clear," said Zelnick "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."

"While of course, delays pain me--how could they not?--the most important thing to do is to support your teams in their search for perfection," added Zelnick.

According to Take-Two Interactive's investors info sheet, GTA 6 only entered full development around 2020. The document also stated that, “affording Rockstar additional time for such a groundbreaking project is a worthy investment," before adding that GTA 6 is now "the most anticipated entertainment property of all time."

Considering that the newly released GTA 6 trailer amassed a half-billion views within the first few days, Take-Two may be right about the game's prerelease demand.

Grand Theft Auto 6 will hit PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 26, 2026. A PC version is expected to be released at a later date.