(Reuters) -Take-Two Interactive has again delayed the launch of "Grand Theft Auto VI" and expects to release it on November 19 next year, extending the wait for the gaming industry's most-anticipated title. Shares of the company, which had previously said it would launch the title on May 26, were down more than 8% in extended trading. This marks the second delay for the game – initially set for launch this year – and will further disappoint millions of fans who have waited for more than a decade for the next installment in the best-selling franchise. Still, analysts expect "GTA VI" to generate billions in sales within the first few weeks of launch due to the blowout success of its predecessor. "GTA VI" is set to release 13 years after its predecessor, "Grand Theft Auto V" took the industry by storm with its advanced graphics, gameplay mechanics, and realistic environments, making it one of the most profitable videogames ever. "With the most robust pipeline in our company's history, we expect to achieve record levels of net bookings in fiscal 2027, which will establish a new baseline for our business and set us on a path of enhanced profitability," said Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick. The company also raised its forecast for annual bookings to between $6.40 billion and $6.50 billion, compared with its prior forecast of between $6.05 billion and $6.15 billion, on the back of strong spending on its mobile and premium titles. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
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