Take-Two Interactive Shares Drop on Grand Theft Auto VI Delay

Shares of Take-Two Interactive Software took a nosedive on Friday following the announcement of a delay in the launch date for their highly anticipated video game, “Grand Theft Auto VI.” The release has now been postponed to May 26, 2026, from its previously expected timeframe in the fall of 2025. Despite this setback, JPMorgan analysts maintained their “overweight” rating for the stock, although they acknowledged that the adjusted timeline far exceeded the delays that investors had been prepared for.

The company clarified that its wholly-owned Rockstar Games label will be unveiling the game during its fiscal year 2027. Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expressed support for Rockstar Games taking additional time to fulfill their creative vision for what promises to be a pioneering blockbuster in the entertainment industry. “While we are aware of the title’s importance and the global anticipation surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI, our commitment to delivering an exceptional gaming experience remains unwavering,” Zelnick remarked.

JPMorgan’s analysts echoed their earlier “overweight” rating, but noted that the new schedule may disrupt investor expectations as it stretches beyond what was initially anticipated. “It’s likely investors were ready for a slight bump into the winter of this year, but not for a delay leading into mid-2026,” they commented. Furthermore, the analysts suggested this postponed timeline might provide a chance for competitor Electronic Arts (EA) to advance its “Battlefield” game franchise in fiscal year 2026, though they mentioned the likelihood of another delay is minimal.

At the close of business on Friday, shares of Take-Two, which is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings on May 15, suffered an 8% dip shortly after the market opened. This comes despite a 28% rise in their stock value since the beginning of the year.