Take-Two Sneakily Teases GTA 6 Release Window
It's the question that's (arguably) plagued us since the release of Grand Theft Auto V in 2013. As the pressure mounts on Rockstar Games to release another record-breaking outing to the vehicular franchise, some think they finally know when the next GTA will be released. So, what's the GTA 6 release window?
We've come a long way from the top-down Grand Theft Auto of 1997. From a move into the 2D Universe with Grand Theft Auto III in 2001 to the HD Universe's birth alongside GTA IV in 2008, we're excited to see how things can evolve beyond GTA V being the most profitable entertainment product of all time.
What's The Latest On GTA 6?
It's a baffling but key piece of information to remember Rockstar hasn't officially announced GTA 6. Despite this, the internet is flooded with leaks, rumours, and hoaxes about what's next. Alongside a possible return to Vice City or the franchise's first female protagonist, the usual headline grabber is a potential GTA 6 release date.
As spotted by Axios, Take-Two's recent acquisition of mobile company Zynga has unearthed some interesting insights. After announcing the massive $12.7 billion Zynga deal, Take-Two has forecast that it will grow by 14% in 2024. That's a pretty big jump - which has us questioning why is 2024 so key?
An analyst from Jeffries has the following to say: "There are only a handful of titles that can ... provide management with the confidence to put out such a strong guidance; we believe there is at least one Rockstar IP set to be released by FY24."
When Will GTA 6 Release?
The 2024 fiscal year runs from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, meaning GTA 6 could logically release at any point in that period. Axios notes that Take-Two has a similar roadmap for GTA V when it announced its financial targets in 2011. In the end, GTA V released in late 2013 and had its delay pre-empted when the company lowered its estimations.
Cowen's Doug Creutz reiterated, "So yeah, there absolutely is precedent for putting a Rockstar game into #s before it’s officially dated (and then getting it wrong)." Few franchises have as much of a punch to provide such ambitious increases, and with reports GTA 6 will be the only new-gen release from Rockstar (sorry Bully 2 fans), this hardly looks like a Red Dead Redemption remake.
It's all speculation for now, but leaves plenty of wiggle room for delays and shuffles. That's good news - especially as someone recently claimed GTA 6 was stuck in development hell. If 2023-2024 is one to lock in the diaries, it's an optimistic view considering some said we wouldn't be playing until at least 2025.
Rockstar has vowed to change its reports of a toxic workplace culture and avoid the crunch that plagued Red Dead Redemption 2. All of this explains why we've been waiting nine years (and counting) for GTA 6, but safe to say, there's more than a little road rage that Rockstar and Take-Two are keeping us in the dark.