Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) saw its stock decline approximately 1% in early trading Tuesday, pausing a recent rally driven by renewed speculation that Grand Theft Auto VI could debut with an $80 price tag. The company's highly anticipated title from Rockstar Games remains the centerpiece of investor focus as the fiscal year-end approaches.
CEO Strauss Zelnick, in an interview with Bloomberg News, described the anticipation surrounding GTA VI as both “exciting and terrifying.” The executive emphasized Take-Two’s commitment to delivering a groundbreaking experience, noting that Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 225 million copies. Analysts now project that GTA VI could exceed 25 million units sold on its first day.
Rockstar’s website currently lists a November 19, 2026 release date for the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no PC version announced. This console-first strategy could postpone a significant portion of potential sales, as Zelnick revealed that 45% to 50% of major Take-Two releases now come from PC users. He explained that the company prioritizes consoles to reach what it considers the “core” audience initially.
Bank of America analyst Omar Dessouky, in a research note, suggested that an $80 price point for GTA VI could raise the bar for the entire gaming industry. “Raise the price point for the entire industry,” Dessouky wrote, arguing it would benefit Take-Two, though he noted that company executives have not endorsed the idea. The bank raised its price target on Take-Two to $320.
Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics told GameSpot that consumer demand for top-tier titles remains robust, stating, “The market will bear it.” The pricing debate comes amid broader industry shifts; Nintendo recently launched Mario Kart World at $80, and Take-Two itself helped lead the transition from $60 to $70 for console games earlier in the current console cycle.
Zelnick acknowledged that development costs “have gone up and up,” and that artificial intelligence has not yet reduced those expenses. Take-Two has not disclosed the budget for GTA VI. The company’s net bookings for the fiscal third quarter reached $1.76 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s consensus as tracked by LSEG. For fiscal 2026, Take-Two raised its net bookings guidance in February to a range of $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion.
Investors will now turn their attention to Take-Two’s fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year earnings report, scheduled for release after the bell on May 21, followed by a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Management is expected to provide updates on GTA VI’s timing, pricing, and bookings outlook, offering clarity on what could be the most significant game launch in over a decade.
