GTA VI potential delay tanks Take-Two stocks

Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA studio Rockstar Games, has seen its share price drop following the reported delay of GTA VI.

Kotaku reported that GTA VI could be delayed until late 2025 or possibly 2026, causing the stock price to drop.

The Bank of America downgraded Take-Two stock in December, citing doubts that GTA VI would be out in March 2025.

Take-Two Interactive Software share prices dropped by over 4% after a report on Friday by Kotaku suggesting that Rockstar may have to delay GTA VI till late 2025 or even 2026.

The publication said that 'sources' had informed them current plans are a targetted "early 2025" release window for GTA VI, which is Rockstar's current goal.

However, Kotaku followed this up by saying, "At the moment, I’m told that Rockstar is still “aiming” for GTA 6 to arrive in Spring 2025. While an early 2025 release is the goal, sources say they aren’t sure if this will happen, and a Fall 2025 launch seems more plausible and feasible. Meanwhile, delaying the game to 2026 is on the table as a sort of “fallback plan” or “emergency” option if needed."

Using the Bloomberg report that Rockstar is now asking workers to return to work five days a week to avoid any further leaks of the game to back up their claims, Kotaku, citing an anonymous source, suggested that the return to work was also mandated due to fears of falling behind.

"While security and quality are reportedly the main reasons Rockstar is instituting the mandate to return to the office, I was told by sources—who wish to remain anonymous to avoid possible retaliation—that development on GTA 6 has started “falling behind.” I’m told this has leadership at Rockstar nervous and worried about the game missing the 2025 window and slipping into 2026, and is another big reason the company is pushing for a return to the office in April."

A trailer for the hotly anticipated title released in January currently has 182 million views on YouTube.

Neither Take-Two nor Rockstar has made an official statement to verify any delay.