Take-Two Interactive has boosted its year bookings projection, citing strong demand for its portfolio of sports, action and mobile games, as it prepares for the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, slated on November 19.
From its initial forecast of $6.4 billion to $6.5 billion, the videogame publisher now projects fiscal 2026 bookings in the range of $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion. According to LSEG data, third-quarter net bookings came to $1.76 billion, exceeding the $1.59 billion market forecast. Take-Two shares increased more than 5% in prolonged trade after the announcement.
Although it is generally anticipated that GTA VI will bring in billions of dollars in initial sales, investors are also paying close attention to Rockstar Games’ post-launch strategies for maintaining player interest through online features and upgrades. With games like Match Factory! and Toon Blast showing strong growth, the company is also profiting from a rebound in the mobile gaming market.
Executives downplayed concerns new AI tools for game production during the conference call, stating that these technologies are still far from being as sophisticated as contemporary game engines. Experts in the field agreed, highlighting the significant technological and creative expenditure that goes into iconic properties like Grand Theft Auto.
Source – Business Standard
