The company saying Grand Theft Auto 6 remains on track to be released in May 2026. The stock rebounding today from Friday's losses, now up roughly 20% this year. Joining us now in an exclusive interview is Take 2 Interactive Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnik.Welcome. Great to have you. Great to be here.So I mean things are looking good ahead of this release it seems given your report. Things are looking amazing. We had a great first quarter.It's great to be able to guide up for the year and what's really exci ...

Core Viewpoint - The delay of "Grand Theft Auto 6" is being framed by Take-Two's CEO as a positive investment for a groundbreaking project, despite Wall Street's skepticism [1][2]. Company Performance - Take-Two's shares fell by more than 8% following the announcement of the game's delay until 2026 [2]. - The company's stock experienced another dip ahead of the earnings call, with forecasts falling short of expectations primarily due to the delay of "GTA VI" [2]. Game Development Insights - The CEO emphasized that the ambition and complexity of "Grand Theft Auto 6" surpass any previous titles from Rockstar, aiming to deliver an extraordinary entertainment experience [2][3]. - The "Grand Theft Auto" series has been described as a standard bearer for both Take-Two and the gaming industry since its inception [3]. Market Research and Future Outlook - Take-Two conducts extensive market research, which has yielded impressive results, although the CEO refrained from claiming success until the game's release [3]. - Despite the delay, executives remain optimistic about the company's overall success for the year, citing upcoming releases such as "Borderlands 4" and "Mafia: The Old Country" [3].

Core Insights - "Grand Theft Auto 6" is now scheduled for release in May 2026, causing Take-Two Interactive's shares to drop by as much as 8% following the announcement [1][5]. Group 1: Game Development and Anticipation - "Grand Theft Auto 6" is one of the most anticipated games, with an early trailer released in 2023 achieving over 93 million views in one day, now totaling over 251 million views [2]. - The upcoming release will be the first main series "GTA" game since "Grand Theft Auto V" in 2013, leading to memes about the long wait for the game [3]. Group 2: Company Statements and Future Outlook - Rockstar Games expressed that the delay is necessary to meet the high expectations of quality from consumers, emphasizing their commitment to excellence [3][6]. - Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, previously indicated that 2025 would be an "inflection point" for the company, driven by the release of "Grand Theft Auto 6" [4]. - Despite the delay, Take-Two anticipates "record levels of net bookings" in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 [5].

Core Viewpoint - Take-Two Interactive's stock experienced a significant drop of 10.91% in pre-market trading following the announcement of the delay for Grand Theft Auto 6 to May 2026, presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors [1][9]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Reactions - The stock price fell from $235.17 to $209.52 after the announcement [1]. - Historically, Take-Two Interactive shares are highly reactive to news regarding Grand Theft Auto titles, leading to notable price fluctuations based on rumors and announcements [2]. - For instance, the stock dropped 6% in September 2022 due to a leak, surged in late 2023 with positive news, and increased by 11% in early 2025 when a release schedule was confirmed [3]. Group 2: Market Trends and Analysis - The recent drop in stock price is expected to be temporary, with a likelihood of recovery on future positive news related to Grand Theft Auto [4]. - Year-to-date, Take-Two has shown strong performance, rallying 28.46% despite broader market volatility [5]. - Even after the recent decline, the stock remains above its New Year price of $183.07, indicating resilience [8]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - The current situation presents a potential "buy the dip" scenario, although it is not without risks, as future positive developments regarding GTA 6 are uncertain [10].