GTA 6 boss breaks silence as fans fear Trump tariffs could affect release date
We'll likely all remember where we were the day that Grand Theft Auto 6 released...that's if it ever releases at all. Rockstar Games has kept us dangling on the line for years, with GTA V coming out in 2013 and rumors of the next automobile adventure dogging us not long after.
Despite all the hype, it's baffling to think we've only had one GTA 6 trailer (all the way back in December 2023), but with Take-Two Interactive repeatedly promising GTA 6 is coming in 2025, we've been taught that patience is a virtue.
We've already seen Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick admit that there's been so little marketing as a sly way to drum up interest, but in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's new trade tariffs and the tech world being thrown into chaos, he's been forced to speak out with some actual news about GTA 6.
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Nintendo made the unprecedented decision to push back the Switch 2 release date in the USA until it can figure out what to do, but what about GTA 6?
One concerned gamer posted on X and asked the valid question: "Could tariffs affect video game prices, and would you still pay that much for it?"
There were already those balking at the idea of spending $100 on GTA 6, but if that goes up even further due to the Trump tariffs, there could be hell to pay.
Zelnick spoke about the situation to GamesIndustry, and just like Kimbal Musk clapped back at Trump's trade war, the video game boss grumbled: "Well, our industry association, the ESA, has been weighing in and in general, and I think most economists would agree, a world without tariffs is a better place."
Like we've been warned about a potential price rise for the iPhone, having to pay more for GTA 6 feels like a real possibility.
Zelnick continued: "Now, tariffs do play a role when they're necessary and they could be necessary if, for example, a country is in the business of dumping on other economies.
"Apart from that situation, generally speaking, I am a free trader."
Saying that he was just as concerned about possible 'trade wars' as everyone else, Zelnick concluded: "I'm encouraged that we seem to be avoiding those with Mexico and Canada through discussion and negotiation and I'm cautiously optimistic that that will lead to a good result."
For those hoping to get an answer on when GTA 6 will release and whether it will come in at $100 or more, Zelnick is unfortunately remaining tight-lipped.
When grilled on whether GTA 6 is still targeting that mythical 'fall 2025' release window, the Take-Two boss claims he's not heard any of the supposed gossip and worries that it won't be making it.
It's clear Zelnick isn’t biggest fan in the world when it comes to tariffs, but with Take-Two in the business of making money, don't expect it to take a hit on its profits without handing some of that pain down to its customers.