Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive has set ambitious goals for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026, aiming to generate over $8 billion in net bookings. This indicates the possibility of a significant release in April 2024 or beyond, with speculation suggesting that Grand Theft Auto 6 could be the key contributor to this growth. While no specific details have been provided, industry experts believe that the highly anticipated GTA 6 could be the major title driving Take-Two’s impressive financial targets, as it is difficult to envision any other franchise achieving comparable results for the company.
The speculation surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 as a significant driver for Take-Two Interactive’s growth targets is further supported by considering the company’s recent financial performance. In the previous fiscal year, Take-Two’s net bookings reached $5.3 billion, a notable increase attributed in part to the acquisition of Zynga, a prominent mobile gaming company.
Prior to this acquisition, the company’s annual net bookings were reportedly around $3 billion. Given Take-Two’s ambitious goals for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026, it would require substantial efforts such as major acquisitions, a higher number of game releases, or the launch of an exceptionally anticipated franchise sequel like GTA 6. To provide context, Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, has sold a remarkable 180 million copies to date.
Take-Two Interactive expressed its confidence and excitement about its future projects in its earnings report, stating that they have been preparing its business for the release of a highly robust pipeline of projects. The company expects to enter a new era in fiscal year 2025 by launching several groundbreaking titles that they believe will set new industry standards. Their ambitious targets include achieving over $8 billion in Net Bookings and over $1 billion in Adjusted Unrestricted Operating Cash Flow. Take-Two plans to maintain this momentum and deliver even higher levels of operating results in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.
The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been significant since Rockstar Games officially confirmed its development last year. The game has garnered substantial attention on social media, particularly due to a substantial data leak that revealed in-development gameplay footage. This further adds to the excitement surrounding the potential release of GTA 6.
In September, Rockstar Games experienced a leak that exposed gameplay footage from GTA 6. The leak included over 90 videos showcasing two playable characters named Lucia and Jason, aligning with previous reports that hinted at the inclusion of a female protagonist in the game. Rockstar Games confirmed the authenticity of the leak, while Take-Two Interactive stated that it had no significant impact on their business and was primarily considered an emotional matter.
Following the leak, an unnamed 17-year-old from Oxfordshire, England was reportedly arrested under suspicion of hacking. This individual was allegedly associated with the hacker group called “Laspus$,” which was also believed to be responsible for previous Uber leaks.
In addition to GTA 6, Take-Two Interactive has an exciting lineup of upcoming releases. This includes Judas, the next game from BioShock creator Ken Levine, a new installment in the Mafia series developed by Hangar 13, a new entry in the BioShock franchise, and their annual lineup of sports games.
While eagerly anticipating these new releases, Take-Two continues to benefit from the ongoing success of GTA V, its popular online component, and Red Dead Redemption 2. GTA V has been a massive commercial success, selling over 53 million copies. The game’s active online component, Grand Theft Auto Online, continues to thrive and attract a large player base. Additionally, Red Dead Redemption 2 has also achieved significant sales, contributing to Take-Two’s continued success in the gaming market.
