In an unexpected turn of events, shares of video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software experienced a 4% drop in extended trading on Monday after the premature release of the highly anticipated trailer for the next installment of the Grand Theft Auto series. Originally slated for a grand reveal on Tuesday, December 5, at 9 a.m. ET, the trailer surfaced prematurely due to a leak from the Twitter account @Gta6trailerleak on X.
Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two, promptly responded to the leak by releasing the trailer on YouTube, and X took swift action by suspending the account responsible for the unauthorized reveal. The unexpected turn of events prompted Take-Two to adjust its timeline, causing a dip in the company’s stock value.
Grand Theft Auto VI is poised to make a significant impact on Take-Two’s revenue growth post-release, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V. Launched in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V has become the second best-selling video game in history, boasting an impressive sales figure of over 190 million copies. It trails only behind Microsoft-owned Minecraft, which has sold over 300 million copies.
The leak and subsequent hasty release of the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer have left gamers buzzing with excitement. Fans have eagerly awaited details about the new game for years, and the leak only heightened the anticipation. Sam Houser, Rockstar’s founder, had previously announced in early November that the trailer would be unveiled in December, adding fuel to the already fervent speculation surrounding the game.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, speaking on a conference call in November, commended Rockstar Games for its constant innovation as the label approaches its 25th anniversary. The Grand Theft Auto series has been synonymous with groundbreaking interactive entertainment, and expectations for the next installment are soaring.
The forthcoming Grand Theft Auto VI is confirmed to be available on Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, according to a statement from Take-Two. The leak may have caused a temporary setback in the company’s stock value, but the widespread excitement and anticipation surrounding the game suggest that Grand Theft Auto VI has the potential to be another blockbuster success for Take-Two Interactive Software. As the gaming community eagerly awaits the official release, the leaked trailer has inadvertently intensified the countdown to what could be the next iconic chapter in the Grand Theft Auto saga.
(Source: CNN | NBC News | CNBC |
