Following affirmation that Grand Theft Auto 6 can be launching within the fall of 2025, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has stated the corporate is “extremely assured” it’s going to meet that focus on, whereas additionally setting some slightly lofty expectations by calling the sport “an expertise that nobody has seen earlier than.”

In a latest CNBC interview (noticed and shared by Twitter consumer Dyllie), Zelnick was requested concerning the decision-making behind selecting a launch window.

“Nicely, there’s slippage within the trade, and we’re not immune from that,” stated Zelnick. “Nevertheless, we narrowed the timing as a result of we’re extremely assured in that timing.”

He defined there are a number of components; one among which is set by what number of bugs are within the recreation. Whereas the workforce at Rockstar will clearly be aiming to reduce that quantity by launch, Zelnick added, “Within the case of a unprecedented title, for which there are extraordinary expectations, it’s not likely about bugs. It’s about creating an expertise that nobody has seen earlier than, and Rockstar Video games seeks perfection.”

I don’t doubt the workforce at Rockstar is working extraordinarily onerous on GTA 6, and it’ll most likely be an excellent recreation. Nevertheless, fan expectations already extremely excessive for it (it’s been over 10 years since Grand Theft Auto 5, in any case), and suggesting GTA 6 gained’t be like every other online game looks like going overboard. It’s sure to be technically spectacular, however I can’t think about it’ll be that a lot totally different from earlier GTA video games. If something, if it’s nothing like these video games, that solely dangers upsetting long-time followers who’re in search of a brand new GTA.

Zelnick’s feedback can arguably be written off as him merely producing hype and never meant to be taken at face worth. Nevertheless, Take-Two itself possible has the very best expectations of all for GTA 6. GTA 5 made $1 billion in simply three days (by way of IGN) when it launched in 2013; is Take-Two anticipating comparable outcomes? If something, it could need even higher outcomes since GTA 6 is little doubt proving costlier to make than its predecessor, however so much has modified up to now decade. Recreation costs have gone up and never everybody’s prepared to drop $70 on a brand new launch, particularly when every part else has been getting costlier too.

As for that fall launch date, Zelnick has acknowledged Take-Two isn’t proof against “slippage,” suggesting a delay isn’t solely out of the query. That stated, Take-Two will most likely keep away from pushing GTA 6 again if it could actually, and solely comply with a delay as a final resort. In spite of everything, given the fan expectations, GTA 6 does stand to make some huge cash and Take-Two will need that revenue ASAP. It’s not going to need to wait until the sport’s ‘excellent,’ since such a objective is frankly unobtainable, or on the very least take up much more improvement time.