Take-Two reports 8.5 million GTA 6 preorders, raises 2025 revenue forecast

Take‑Two Interactive’s shares jumped 3.6% after the company issued a full‑year earnings outlook on Wednesday, citing a surge of pre‑orders for its upcoming game, GTA 6. The publisher projected revenue of $3.1 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, up 9% from the same period last year, and a net income of $1.3 billion. The announcement came at the same time the company revealed that it had received 8.5 million pre‑orders for the new title, a record for the franchise.

The move matters because Take‑Two is the biggest independent game publisher in the United States, and its flagship series, Grand Theft Auto, drives most of its profit. The company’s guidance comes after a weak second quarter, where revenue fell 2% to $2.1 billion and earnings per share dipped below analyst expectations. By contrast, the new pre‑order figure is more than double the 4.3 million pre‑orders for GTA 5, which launched in 2013. Investors see the high demand as a sign that the company can return to growth after a period of uncertainty.

Analysts noted that the pre‑order numbers are a key indicator of the game’s potential launch revenue, which could be as high as $1.5 billion if the title sells at the standard $60 price point. “The market is pricing in a strong launch, which explains the immediate lift in the stock,” said Morgan Stanley analyst Laura Chen. Take‑Two also announced that the game will launch in the first quarter of 2026, giving the company a clear roadmap for the next two quarters.

Next steps for the company include a detailed earnings release in late September, where it will report on the first quarter of 2025 and provide a more precise sales forecast for GTA 6. The company will also unveil a marketing plan and a launch window in a separate press conference. If the game meets or exceeds expectations, Take‑Two could see a further surge in its share price, while a miss could prompt a reassessment of its long‑term strategy. The company’s ability to deliver on the hype will be closely watched by investors and gamers alike.