Take-Two CEO Reveals Grand Theft Auto VI Development Officially Started in 2020

Anticipation Builds for Grand Theft Auto VI

The gaming world has been abuzz with excitement and speculation over the arrival of Grand Theft Auto VI, a title that has captured the attention of enthusiasts since the launch of Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 over a decade ago.

Development Timeline Revealed

Recent comments from Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, shed light on the development of GTA VI. He indicated that serious production efforts commenced in 2020, following the monumental success of Red Dead Redemption 2.

During Take-Two’s fourth-quarter earnings report for the 2025 fiscal year, Zelnick stated, “Grand Theft Auto VI began development in earnest in 2020.”He emphasized the game’s enormous anticipation level, mentioning that its new trailer has already set record-breaking views. In a follow-up discussion, he quipped that Rockstar “broke the internet, again, ”underlining the overwhelming response to the trailer.

A Testament to Rockstar’s Expertise

The trailer showcases an impressive level of detail and creativity that Rockstar is known for, a feat achieved over six years of concentrated development. This highlights the exceptional skills of the studio’s developers and designers.

However, the six-year timeline mentioned by Zelnick does not encompass the entire duration of development. His reference to work beginning “in earnest”in 2020 suggests that pre-production and initial groundwork likely occurred before that date. It’s plausible that some team members transitioned to GTA VI shortly after Red Dead Redemption 2 was released, potentially extending the overall development timeline to eight years or more.

Heightened Expectations

With around eight years of development under its belt and fans waiting nearly 13 years for the next installment, the expectations surrounding GTA VI are higher than ever. The game’s trajectory shares similarities with the tumultuous release of Cyberpunk 2077, leaving fans hopeful for a far more successful launch this time around.

As the release date approaches, currently speculated to be in May 2026, the pressure on Rockstar to deliver a groundbreaking experience is immense. Fans and critics alike are watching closely, eagerly anticipating how this next chapter in the legendary franchise will unfold.

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