As anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 continues to build, a looming sense of uncertainty is gripping the games industry. A new report highlights growing concerns among analysts and publishers that a delay in GTA 6’s release could send shockwaves through the market—possibly even causing some companies to “tank” if they bet wrong on the release window.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, previously reaffirmed a 2025 release window for GTA 6. However, with no confirmed date and Rockstar Games maintaining radio silence since the game’s December 2023 trailer, analysts are beginning to question whether 2025 is still realistic.
Doug Creutz, an analyst at TD Cowen, shared a sobering warning: “Some companies are going to tank if they guess wrong.” He emphasized that many publishers are already shaping their release schedules around Rockstar’s juggernaut, expecting GTA 6 to dominate the market in whichever quarter it launches.
If GTA 6 slips into 2026, the consequences could be dire for publishers that delayed major titles to avoid direct competition, only to leave financial gaps in their portfolios. This ripple effect is already influencing strategic planning across the industry, especially for mid-tier studios.
While delays are nothing new for Rockstar Games—GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 both experienced significant postponements—investors and developers are still holding onto hope that the 2025 window remains intact.
Until Rockstar confirms a solid date, however, the industry remains on edge. With so much riding on a single title, even a few months’ delay could throw next year’s release calendar—and stock prices—into chaos.
