Youre killing us, Rockstar (because now we cant virtually perform vehicular homicide until next year).

The latest delay for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI will cost the video game industry $2.7 billion in 2025, according to the latest data from Ampere Analysis. The overall spend on games content and services will still cross $200 billion for the first time ever albeit by a narrower margin than it would have otherwise thanks in large part to the June 5 release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Ampere forecasts very modest growth: from $199.4 billion in 2024 to $201.3 billion in 2025. Thats just about 1 percent in growth, down from last years +3.5 percent and less than half of Amperes 2026 prediction of +2.2 percent. Not that the market is freaking out. Those GTA VI sales will come, and they will be massive. Now theyll just be recognized by the broader gaming industry in calendar-year 2026 and by Take Two Interactive Software, which owns Rockstar Games, in its fiscal year 2027.

The release of GTA VI in FY27 is expected to deliver a material uplift in engagement, monetization, and profitability, with the potential to drive multiyear financial strength across both premium and live service revenue streams, Benchmark analyst Mike Hickney wrote in a note to clients reiterating his Buy stance on TTWO stock.

It remains to be seen what Take Two does with GTA Online from a monetization standpoint once GTA VI finally lands.

Michael Pachter of Wedbush also has TTWO as a Buy hes assuming GTA IV will come out at an $80 price point, so teens might want to start saving their allowance now.

Clay Griffin, a games analyst at MoffettNathanson, is a bit more chill about everything here, really. Hes Neutral on TTWO stock and calls the six-month GTA VI delay (to May 26, 2026) in the grand schemea non-event.