NEW YORK, Feb. 3 (GeokHub) — Take-Two Interactive Software on Tuesday raised its annual bookings forecast, citing strong demand for its premium sports, action and mobile games, as it prepares for the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI later this year.
The videogame publisher said it now expects bookings of between $6.65 billion and $6.7 billion for fiscal 2026, up from its previous forecast range of $6.4 billion to $6.5 billion. Shares of Take-Two climbed more than 5% in extended trading following the announcement.
The company reaffirmed that GTA VI, one of the most awaited game releases in industry history, remains on track for a November 19 launch, a milestone expected to significantly boost revenue and player engagement.
Strong Performance Across Titles
Beyond GTA VI, Take-Two reported solid momentum across its portfolio. Third-quarter net bookings reached $1.76 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.59 billion, according to LSEG data.
The publisher is also benefiting from a rebound in the mobile gaming market after a post-pandemic slowdown. Popular mobile titles such as Match Factory! and Toon Blast delivered robust growth, helping offset development costs tied to major console releases.
Post-Launch Focus and Investor Watchpoints
While analysts expect GTA VI to generate billions in initial sales, investors are closely watching Rockstar Games’ post-launch strategy, particularly how the developer plans to update the title to sustain long-term spending through online features.
Historically, Take-Two has relied on extended content updates and online gameplay to drive recurring revenue long after launch, as seen with GTA V.
Executives Push Back on AI Disruption Fears
During the earnings call, Take-Two executives downplayed concerns that emerging artificial intelligence tools — including newly launched AI platforms capable of generating interactive worlds — could disrupt traditional game development.
Executives described the technology as early-stage and not comparable to full-scale game engines, emphasizing that AI does not replace the creative and technical processes behind blockbuster franchises.
“AI can’t simply prompt its way to the next Grand Theft Auto,” said Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, noting that studios like Rockstar invest years in proprietary engines and meticulous design.
The comments come after Take-Two shares briefly dipped last week amid broader investor anxiety over AI’s long-term impact on the gaming industry.
