GTA 6 Hasn’t Been Delayed, but Its Marketing Campaign Will Start Later
May 23 at 22:50
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1Publication of the latest financial report from Take-Two meant that its CEO, Strauss Zelnick, had to answer plenty of questions and provide a wealth of commentary. The central topic, as it has been for years, was GTA 6.
Interestingly, Rockstar Games originally targeted May 2025 for the release — 18 months ahead of the game’s final launch date.
According to the company, the campaign will be tailored to modern audiences. For example, television advertising will play a much smaller role this time around, whereas it was a major part of promoting GTA 5 13 years ago.
The executive also dismissed the possibility of the campaign starting immediately — the company does not launch promo during financial report presentations. It will not begin within the next few weeks either. Instead, the rollout is expected to start this summer, something that had already been mentioned back in February. Which likely means late June? The summer solstice on the 21st may mark the practical beginning of the season, if not the calendar one.
Release Date
Fears of another delay have not been confirmed. Grand Theft Auto VI is still scheduled for release on November 19. With less than six months remaining until launch, it is now fairly safe to say that a third postponement is unlikely.Interestingly, Rockstar Games originally targeted May 2025 for the release — 18 months ahead of the game’s final launch date.
Marketing Campaign
Even a game that hardly needs advertising will still receive a full-scale marketing push. That is necessary regardless of how famous or recognizable a franchise may be. The same applies to both video games and movies. Everyone knows that Tom Cruise will be performing incredible stunts in the new Mission: Impossible film, but that does not eliminate the need for marketing.According to the company, the campaign will be tailored to modern audiences. For example, television advertising will play a much smaller role this time around, whereas it was a major part of promoting GTA 5 13 years ago.
The executive also dismissed the possibility of the campaign starting immediately — the company does not launch promo during financial report presentations. It will not begin within the next few weeks either. Instead, the rollout is expected to start this summer, something that had already been mentioned back in February. Which likely means late June? The summer solstice on the 21st may mark the practical beginning of the season, if not the calendar one.
Pre-Orders
Pre-orders for GTA VI are expected to open at the same time. This will be a turning point, as the public will finally learn the game’s price and, most likely, the contents of its various editions — Special, Collector’s, and whatever other bundles the developers decide to prepare.Trailer 3
Nothing was said about the long-awaited third trailer. For now, all assumptions that it will arrive alongside the marketing campaign and pre-orders remain just that — assumptions. Logical ones, however, since Trailer 3 would be the perfect incentive for fans to open their wallets.Potential Revenue
The corporation forecasts that fiscal year 2026 will generate between $8 and $8.2 billion in revenue — roughly 20% more than the previous period. It is obvious that this estimated increase of around $1.5 billion will largely be driven by the release of GTA 6. Against this backdrop, Take-Two Interactive shares began climbing once again.Project Budget
When asked how much had been spent on Grand Theft Auto VI, the CEO avoided giving a precise figure, saying only that the company invests heavily in its console and PC titles because it strives for perfection.
