Grand Theft Auto VI's November 19, 2026 release date is drawing nearer. And while the game has now suffered multiple delays, Take-Two Interactive is starting to sound more confident than we've ever heard them that this time, it's really happening. So confident, in fact, it's announced that Rockstar will be spinning up its marketing beats this summer.
In its third quarter fiscal 2026 earnings report, released earlier this week, Take-Two Interactive delivered strong financial results that underscored the company's robust performance amid anticipation for its blockbuster titles. The publisher reported net bookings of $1.76 billion for the quarter, significantly outpacing internal forecasts and highlighting the enduring strength of its portfolio. This impressive figure reflects a better-than-expected outcome across various segments, prompting Take-Two to raise its full-year guidance.
The earnings call provided further reassurance on Grand Theft Auto VI, with a statement from the official press release sent to IGN emphasizing Take-Two's optimism: "Our execution throughout Fiscal 2026 has been extraordinary and we are highly confident as we approach Fiscal 2027 – which promises to be groundbreaking for Take-Two and the entire entertainment industry – led by the November 19th release of Grand Theft Auto VI with Rockstar’s launch marketing set to begin this Summer." CEO Strauss Zelnick echoed this sentiment when pressed on the difference from prior assurances, responding, "Of course. Because any time you're getting closer to marketing beats, you're obviously in a place where your confidence level is as high as it can be." Zelnick also shared his personal outlook on the launch, stating simply, "I feel good about it. Very good about it."
Even without the arrival of GTA 6, the Grand Theft Auto franchise demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth during the quarter. Take-Two noted that GTA revenue "vastly outpaced" expectations, driven in large part by surging engagement in GTA Online. Membership in the GTA+ subscription service nearly doubled year-over-year, signaling sustained player interest in Rockstar's live-service ecosystem. When asked about the factors behind this surge, Zelnick specifically credited the recent "Safehouse in the Hills" update for GTA Online, which has resonated strongly with the community and boosted activity levels. Adding to these milestones, GTA V—now over a decade old—has surpassed 225 million units sold lifetime, cementing its status as one of the best-selling games in history.
On a broader scale, Take-Two's Q3 success has led to upward revisions in its annual projections. The company now anticipates total net bookings for fiscal 2026 to fall between $6.65 billion and $6.7 billion, marking approximately 18% year-over-year growth. This optimistic outlook is bolstered by contributions from across the board, including Take-Two's mobile division, Zynga. Executives expect Zynga to account for nearly half of the company's full-year earnings, which will be detailed in the upcoming Q4 report. These results paint a picture of a diversified powerhouse poised for explosive expansion.
As the summer marketing push approaches, all eyes remain on Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar Games' ambitious open-world sequel set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida. Featuring protagonists Lucia and her partner, the title has already captivated audiences with two cinematic trailers, though no gameplay footage has been revealed yet. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, initially launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected to follow later.
