In a much-anticipated announcement, Rockstar Games has confirmed that the next installment of its blockbuster franchise, "Grand Theft Auto 6," is slated for a fall 2025 release. The news came as parent company Take-Two Interactive reported a staggering $2.9 billion loss for the first quarter of 2025.
The gaming giant's recent financial performance has been underwhelming, with the company's losses far exceeding its projected range of $170-$153 million. The fiscal Q4 loss included a $2.18 billion goodwill charge, $304.3 million in acquisition-related expenses, and $93.3 million in restructuring costs.
Despite the financial turbulence, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic about the company's future. In an interview with Variety, Zelnick stated, "I think we're going to leave it there for now," when asked about the specific release date for "GTA VI." He added, "That [announcement] will come from Rockstar and be consistent with the way they are marketing the title."
The announcement of "Grand Theft Auto 6" has been met with significant fanfare, with the game's trailer smashing viewership records on YouTube. This indicates a high demand for the title, which comes more than a decade after the release of "GTA V."
Zelnick also addressed recent layoffs within the company and the gaming industry at large, expressing confidence that further cuts were not on the horizon. "We feel like we're in a very good place now," he said, highlighting the company's cost-reduction programs and commitment to creativity, efficiency, and innovation.
Looking ahead, Zelnick anticipates the completion of Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox, the developer of "Borderlands" and "Tiny Tina’s Wonderland," and expects sequential topline growth for the company in fiscal 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Despite the excitement surrounding "Grand Theft Auto 6," the company does not expect the game's release to contribute to its estimated fiscal 2025 revenue. Instead, the focus for the current quarter remains on other successful titles like "NBA 2K24," "Grand Theft Auto Online," and "Grand Theft Auto V," among others.
More for you:
