For digital gaming enthusiasts, it is time to pay attention: the highly anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto VI will be available for pre-order starting June 25, while its official release is scheduled for November 19. This marks the end of an almost 14-year wait for the next installment of the iconic franchise. Experts expect one of the biggest launches in gaming history. Already in its release year, GTA VI is projected to generate billions of dollars in revenue and could even become the highest-grossing game launch of all time. This expectation is largely driven by the immense popularity of its predecessor. GTA V has sold around 230 million copies and is considered one of the most successful video games ever created. The upcoming release is therefore a major event for parent company Take-Two Interactive and could finally turn years of upfront investment into substantial profits.
Take-Two brings together some of the strongest brands in the gaming industry under its various labels. In addition to the GTA franchise, the company owns premium blockbuster titles such as Red Dead Redemption, the sports series NBA 2K, and action titles like Borderlands. Since acquiring Zynga in 2022, the US-based company has also gained a significant presence in the mobile and free-to-play gaming market. Mobile gaming now represents the largest segment, accounting for 49% of net bookings. Take-Two has recently benefited in particular from the strong increase in in-game purchases. This was once again evident in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025/26, which ended on March 31. Recurring consumer spending - primarily microtransactions and subscriptions - increased by 7% and accounted for 82% of total net bookings of USD 1.58 billion. This confirms the continued shift toward the “live service” model. Nearly all major Take-Two titles now feature additional content that generates revenue over many years. Although the company did not achieve a profit in the final quarter, its net loss narrowed to USD 59.5 million. By comparison, losses had amounted to USD 3.73 billion in the same quarter of the previous year. The company also exceeded analysts’ expectations, as they had anticipated a larger loss.
Looking ahead, Take-Two expects revenue of between USD 7.9 billion and USD 8.1 billion for fiscal year 2026/27, alongside net bookings of USD 8.0 billion to USD 8.2 billion. At the midpoint of these ranges, this would represent revenue growth and booking growth of roughly 20%. EBITDA is expected to range between USD 1.013 billion and USD 1.070 billion, corresponding to an even stronger increase of approximately 36%. The company also expects to return to profitability, forecasting earnings per share of USD 0.55 to USD 0.75.
The conditions for further growth remain favorable. According to industry research firm IDG Consulting, the global gaming market continues to expand, with worldwide gaming revenue expected to increase from USD 197 billion in 2025 to USD 230 billion by 2029. Growth is likely to be driven by both the console market - supported by new hardware generations and blockbuster releases such as GTA VI - and the mobile gaming segment, which is expected to remain the largest category. According to Newzoo, future growth will be driven less by new players and more by increased engagement among existing users. This creates an attractive environment for Take-Two: traditional console blockbusters such as GTA VI are complemented by a growing mobile market characterized by recurring in-game purchases. It is therefore no surprise that Take-Two remains optimistic about its future. CEO Strauss Zelnick has emphasized that 2027, supported by the launch of GTA VI and other major titles, will feature the “most ambitious product pipeline in the company’s history,” making new record results a realistic possibility. With the current marketing campaign underway and pre-orders beginning, preparations for the holiday shopping season are already in full swing. Overall, the gaming company may be approaching a decisive turning point after years of investment. Backed by strong franchises, a greater focus on digital revenue streams, and a booming gaming market, Take-Two appears well positioned to accelerate growth and sustainably improve profitability.
The stock market has also shown renewed strength recently. From its interim low of USD 187 in March, the share price has risen by more than 25%. Reaching a new all-time high would require only another gain of roughly 10%. However, investors seeking a comparable return do not necessarily need to assume the risks of a direct equity investment. The new CHF-denominated Callable Barrier Reverse Convertible offers an annualized yield of 10.60% with a maximum maturity of 12 months. On the downside, the capital-protected product allows considerable room for fluctuations in the underlying stock, with the barrier set at 59% of the initial value. The USD-denominated version offers an even higher maximum yield opportunity of 14.78% per annum while maintaining the same risk buffer. Both products also feature a callable mechanism that may lead to early redemption, with the first possible call date on December 30, 2026. Coupon payments are made quarterly on a pro-rata basis.
Investors with a higher risk appetite may also choose a more speculative approach through derivatives. Leonteq has recently expanded its range of leveraged products linked to Take-Two Interactive, allowing investors to participate disproportionately in the performance of the gaming company. Both long and short positioning are available, enabling investors to benefit from either rising or falling share prices.
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