Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick announced on August 7 that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) have reached “exceptional,” “astronomical,” and “unprecedented” levels. The remarks were made during the company’s Q1 fiscal year 2027 earnings call.
This early reception signals significant consumer anticipation for the upcoming title from Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. While specific sales figures were not disclosed, Zelnick indicated that the demand is unlike anything the company or the industry has seen before.
Zelnick emphasized that while the pre-order numbers are substantial, they do not guarantee future sales, as pre-orders can be canceled. However, he expressed gratitude for the public’s response to the game.
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The standard edition is priced at $79.99, with an Ultimate Edition available for $99.99, which includes exclusive in-game content. Zelnick defended the pricing strategy, stating that Rockstar Games “got it right” given the hype and value offered.
Furthermore, Take-Two addressed the game’s physical release strategy. Physical retail editions of GTA 6 will include a download code instead of a traditional disc, reflecting the industry’s ongoing shift towards digital distribution. Take-Two’s business is already more than 90% digitally distributed.
In other marketing news, Rockstar Games announced an “Extended Look” at Grand Theft Auto VI, which will premiere exclusively on Netflix on August 27 at 3 p.m. ET. The footage will become available six hours later on Rockstar’s official YouTube channel and website.
Take-Two Interactive, headquartered in New York City, is a prominent developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment globally. The company operates through labels such as Rockstar Games and 2K. More information can be found on the Take-Two Interactive website.
