Take-Two Interactive Software has announced its anticipation of net bookings growth in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI next year. The New York-based videogame publisher’s shares surged over five percent in extended trading following this news.
Grand Theft Auto has been a standout property for Take-Two, generating billions of dollars in revenue since its inception in the late nineties. The company previously narrowed the release window for GTA VI to fall of 2025, setting the stage for the next installment in one of the world’s most popular video game franchises.
With Grand Theft Auto V selling over 200 million units worldwide, analyst Michael Pachter from Wedbush Securities expects the upcoming growth in bookings to be driven by GTA VI. Take-Two has also revealed that it has approximately 40 titles in its development pipeline through fiscal 2027.
Despite these positive developments, the company’s forecast for second-quarter bookings fell below analysts’ expectations due to soft in-game spending on live-service titles amidst inflationary pressures. Take-Two expects bookings for the second quarter to be between $1.42 billion and $1.47 billion, slightly lower than the average analyst estimate of $1.47 billion.
In the first quarter, Take-Two witnessed a decline in recurrent consumer spending for GTA Online, indicating a potential slowdown in player engagement rates for the live-service title after years of consistent growth. First-quarter bookings totaled $1.22 billion, missing estimates by $30 million.
Furthermore, Take-Two reassured that there would be no impact on titles in development from the ongoing videogame performers strike, aligning with statements made by Electronic Arts last week. The company surprised investors with an adjusted profit of 5 cents per share, surpassing expectations of a 2-cent loss.
As Take-Two continues to navigate the evolving landscape of the gaming industry, all eyes are on the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI and the potential impact it will have on the company’s future growth and success.
This article is based on information from Take-Two Interactive Software’s latest announcements and market trends, providing insights into the company’s strategic direction and financial performance.
