Take-Two CEO Pushes Back on GTA 6 Delay Criticism at Shareholder Meeting

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed shareholder frustration about Grand Theft Auto 6’s protracted development and Take-Two’s reliance on major franchises during a September 17 investor meeting, according to Kotaku. The exchange, which unfolded during a brief Q&A, saw Zelnick reading out a pointed question that referenced “years of delays, missed expectations, and continued dependence on a small number of major franchises.”

Zelnick responded by emphasizing the board’s high standards for performance, stating that if senior executives underperformed, they would be replaced. However, he took issue with the characterization of Take-Two’s management and business direction, offering a detailed defense of the company’s track record since he took the helm in 2007.

"When this management team took over the company in March of ’07, the stock price was 17. The revenue of the company was under a billion dollars. The company was under investigation by at least four government entities, had not filed annual reports in 13 months, and had not scheduled an annual meeting despite obligations to do so. They had one major franchise in GTA. The rest of the business was losing money, and the company was very nearly bankrupt," Zelnick recounted, via audio from the meeting.

He went on to credit Take-Two’s management for diversifying the company, entering the mobile market, and launching more than 11 franchises that have each sold over 5 million units per release. Zelnick pointed to the company’s current market cap—now the highest among pure-play interactive entertainment firms—and a stock appreciation of 1,200% since 2007, as proof of management’s effectiveness.

This exchange comes as investors grow increasingly vocal about delays to GTA 6, which is slated for release in November but has faced a long and public development process. While Zelnick’s response outlined Take-Two’s growth, Kotaku noted the defensive tone, reflecting the mounting pressure around what is expected to be one of the largest game launches in history.

Following his remarks, Zelnick fielded additional questions about a possible PC version and multiplayer details—topics he has addressed in similarly vague terms in prior meetings. The call wrapped up quickly, but the tension highlighted how investor impatience over GTA 6’s timeline has become a recurring theme for Take-Two’s leadership.

As the release date approaches, Zelnick may be hoping that questions about delays will soon give way to discussions about sales and updates. For now, the scrutiny remains squarely on whether Take-Two’s management can deliver on GTA 6’s enormous expectations.