Guide
'Please Tell Me You're Kidding': How Take-Two's CEO Took GTA 6's Second Delay
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Current status
- Current status: An anecdote from Bloomberg's October 14 making-of feature, widely re-reported.
- Last verified: October 19, 2026.
- Sources checked: GameSpot, GamesRadar, Kotaku, GamingBolt, Bloomberg.
- What is confirmed: the two delays (fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, then to November 19, 2026) and the November 19 date.
- What is not confirmed yet: Zelnick's own account of the call. The quote is Kolbe's recollection ("I think he said...").
The two calls
| Call | Delay | Zelnick's reaction (per Kolbe) |
|---|---|---|
| First | Fall 2025 to May 26, 2026 | Not detailed in the reports |
| Second | May 26 to November 19, 2026 | "You're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding." Then "he got it" |
Reported (GameSpot, Kotaku): Kolbe says the development team told her a second delay was needed to deliver Rockstar's full ambition, and she made the call.
What Kolbe said about 'shipping it anyway'
Reported: Kolbe told Bloomberg she felt fortunate that Zelnick is "as reasonable as he is", because other executives might simply tell a team to find a way to ship. "We have been really, really lucky that we have not found ourselves in that place, because that happens to a lot of teams, and we've all played those games. It's not great" (GameSpot).
Zelnick has said publicly that delaying a game is generally a "wise investment in time and financial resources" if it reaches "the level of perfection it has the ability to reach" (GameSpot). GamesRadar and GamingBolt carry the same account.
Could it slip again?
Analysis: the anecdote is about the past. Phil Hooker's line that the game is "never completely settled" has been read by some as a hint of risk, but it describes ongoing polish (see never completely settled). Rockstar released the launch trailer on October 15 with November 19 on it, and physical boxes (with a download code) go on sale November 12. Take-Two reports earnings on November 9 (Take-Two). That's the last scheduled corporate update before launch. See is GTA 6 delayed again?.
Confirmed vs rumored: the delay calls
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| GTA 6 was delayed twice (to May 2026, then November 2026) | Confirmed (Rockstar/Take-Two) |
| Kolbe called Zelnick both times | Reported (Kolbe to Bloomberg) |
| Zelnick said "Please tell me you're kidding" | Reported, Kolbe's recollection |
| Zelnick accepted the reasons after discussion | Reported (Kolbe) |
| A third delay is planned | No evidence |
The bottom line
The CEO of the company that owns Rockstar was reportedly stunned by the second delay but accepted it once he heard why. It shows that Take-Two backed Rockstar's call over a forced ship date. More from the same reporting is in our Bloomberg making-of summary and why GTA 6 was delayed.
Sources checked
- GameSpot: Take-Two CEO's response to second GTA 6 delay
- GamesRadar: GTA 6's two delays flabbergasted Zelnick
- Kotaku: Take-Two's CEO replied 'please tell me you're kidding'
- GamingBolt: GTA 6 team recounts CEO's response
- Take-Two: Q2 FY2027 results date
Update log: 2026-10-19: Published.
Frequently asked questions
- What did Strauss Zelnick say about the GTA 6 delay?
- According to Rockstar's Jennifer Kolbe, speaking to Bloomberg, he said 'You're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding' when told about the second delay, then accepted it once the reasons were explained.
- How many times was GTA 6 delayed?
- Twice: from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, and then to November 19, 2026.
- Is GTA 6 going to be delayed again?
- There's no sign of it. Rockstar's October 15 launch trailer confirms November 19, and physical copies go on sale November 12.
Keep exploring GTA 6
Has played every mainline Grand Theft Auto since GTA III in 2001.
Editorial note: GTA6Home is an independent fan resource and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. We track official Rockstar announcements and update this guide whenever the facts change — the “Last updated” date above reflects the latest review. Anything not officially confirmed is labeled per our Editorial Policy.