Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently shared some impressive news about GTA V and GTA Online. Even after twelve years on the market, GTA V continues to grow. The game has sold over 220 million copies—more than the entire population of Brazil, which is about 213 million.
Zelnick mentioned this in an interview with Chris Dring from The Game Business. He said that they’re consistently adding new content to GTA Online, which has resulted in a 20% increase in subscriptions to GTA+ year over year. Despite the excitement around GTA VI, its release has been pushed to November 2026, which was disappointing for fans.
The stats are hard to ignore. For context, Brazil is the seventh most populated country in the world. This immense figure for GTA V sales highlights Take-Two’s success in the gaming industry. They’re clearly not struggling financially.
However, the delay of GTA VI did have a negative impact on Take-Two’s stock prices. Following the announcement, shares fell, sparking protests outside Rockstar Games and Take-Two’s UK offices. Employees were upset after the abrupt firing of staff involved in unionization efforts. Rockstar stated that these employees shared confidential information.
Historically, delays in game releases are not uncommon, but they can generate frustration among loyal fans. In a 2021 survey by the Entertainment Software Association, 60% of gamers expressed disappointment over postponed game launches, emphasizing how crucial timely releases are to player satisfaction.
What’s more, the gaming community has taken to social media to voice their opinions on both the delays and the treatment of employees. Many gamers have called for better labor practices in the gaming industry, echoing sentiments that have been growing over the last few years.
As the gaming landscape evolves, challenges like these become part of a larger conversation about fairness and transparency within the industry. With solid sales in hand, Take-Two’s future seems bright, but how they respond to industry pressures could shape their legacy.
For more details on gaming trends, you can check out the latest insights from [Statista on video game revenue](https://www.statista.com/topics/868/video-games/) and [The Game Business](https://www.thegamebusiness.com).
