Take-Two Interactive on Tuesday raised its full-year bookings outlook and reiterated that Grand Theft Auto VI will arrive on November 19, signaling confidence in title sales and a broader portfolio rebound.
The videogame publisher now expects fiscal 2026 bookings between $6.65 billion and $6.7 billion, up from its prior forecast range of $6.4 billion to $6.5 billion. Investors responded positively, with Take-Two shares rising more than 5% in extended trading following the announcement.
Management attributed the upward revision to anticipated strong performance across its premium sports and action franchises, complemented by an improving mobile gaming segment. Titles named by the company as contributing to mobile growth included Match Factory! and Toon Blast, which the company said have seen solid expansion following a post-pandemic slowdown.
Take-Two also reported third-quarter net bookings of $1.76 billion, topping consensus estimates of $1.59 billion based on data compiled by LSEG.
On the company earnings call, executives addressed market concerns that newly launched AI capable of generating interactive worlds might pose a threat to traditional game development. Company representatives described that AI as an early-stage technology and said it is "not even in the same ballpark" as a game engine.
Executives stressed that such AI tools do not replace the creative work involved in game development, noting that producing a major title extends beyond world-building. The company highlighted the variety of elements developers must manage post-launch to sustain player engagement and monetization, particularly in online features.
The stock had been pressured after a report on Friday that raised investor fears the new AI could encroach on established development workflows. Take-Two's officials sought to allay those concerns on the call.
Commenting on the limitations of AI with respect to blockbuster game creation, Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, said: "AI can’t simply prompt its way to the next Grand Theft Auto." He added that "Developers like Rockstar spend years on proprietary engine software and painstaking attention to detail, which is why games like Red Dead Redemption II and GTA V hold up a decade later."
Beyond the launch timing for GTA VI, investors will watch how Rockstar Games and Take-Two plan to support the title after release to retain player engagement and drive spending in online components that typically generate substantial revenue following a major launch.
Market reaction and context
Shares moved higher in extended trading after the bookings raise and quarterly beat, reflecting investor optimism ahead of the November release. Management emphasized both the immediate revenue potential of a highly anticipated launch and the importance of post-launch live services to sustain spending.
What remains to be seen
The company has reaffirmed the November 19 release date and increased its fiscal bookings guidance; however, continued execution on post-launch updates and the mobile rebound will be key factors for future results.