Recent comments by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, first highlighted in interviews reported by gaming outlets, including Esquire India and Notebookcheck, reaffirmed that the company remains confident about the launch timeline despite the game’s troubled development history.

“It’s November 19, 2026,” Zelnick said when pressed on the game’s release plans, dismissing rumours of further postponements. He acknowledged that the title had slipped roughly 18 months behind Rockstar Games’ original internal schedule, but suggested such delays were not unusual for a project of GTA 6’s scale.

The renewed assurances come as excitement around the game reaches another peak following reports that retailer Best Buy may have accidentally leaked an upcoming pre-order window.

Multiple gaming publications reported that affiliate emails referenced May 18 as a possible pre-order date, sparking widespread speculation across social media and gaming forums.

However, prominent industry insider Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming has poured cold water on expectations of an imminent reveal.

According to reporting cited by Notebookcheck and TechRadar, Henderson believes Rockstar may delay major marketing activity — including Trailer 3 and pre-orders — until July or later.

Henderson reportedly confirmed that the Best Buy emails were genuine but cautioned that legitimate promotional material does not necessarily mean the dates included are accurate.

Other known gaming leakers, including billbil-kun and NateTheHate, have also said they have not seen evidence of a major GTA 6 announcement this month.

Despite the uncertainty, fan anticipation continues to surge. GTA 6 remains one of the most anticipated entertainment releases in history, more than a decade after the launch of Grand Theft Auto V in 2013.

Rockstar’s second trailer, released in May 2025, reportedly generated more than 475 million views across platforms within 24 hours, setting records for a video game reveal.

The game is set in the fictional state of Leonida, Rockstar’s modern interpretation of Florida, and will prominently feature Vice City. Players will follow protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos in what Rockstar describes as its most ambitious open-world project to date.

Speculation has also intensified over the game’s potential price. Several recent leaks and analyst discussions suggest GTA 6 could launch above the standard AAA price range, with some rumours pointing to premium editions approaching $100. No official pricing has yet been announced by Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

Adding to the anticipation is Rockstar’s continued silence. With only six months remaining before release, the company has yet to open pre-orders or unveil a third trailer, leading fans to closely watch Take-Two’s upcoming earnings updates for possible clues about the next phase of the game’s marketing campaign.