Take-Two insists GTA 6 reviews will be crucial, even as Rockstar fears leaks

Leading up to its release date, there has been speculation about tightly controlled GTA 6 reviews. Rockstar Games is notoriously cautious about leaks that could spoil its marketing plans. However, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has clarified that critics will be integral to a successful launch.

High Metacritic expectations

Zelnick reminded Christopher Dring of The Game Business how most Rockstar projects enjoy scores in the “mid-90s, sometimes high 90s.” He attributes those accolades to the studio’s “commitment to quality.”

The article also discusses how the gaming industry has evolved since earlier GTA titles debuted. Opinions of journalists from established magazines and websites no longer dominate the narrative. Feedback from buyers is more immediate, while the views of content creators carry weight.

Despite the changes, Zelnick believes GTA 6 reviews will be as important as with prior games. Particularly if hands-on previews are rare, fans can consult Metacritic for first impressions of the game. As seen with Crimson Desert, lukewarm scores can impact stock prices. That said, rumors have suggested that the publisher and Rockstar will seek to regulate the process.

Fewer GTA 6 reviews than past games?

In January 2026, a report emerged that they might skip or delay shipping physical copies. That could reduce the risk that reviewers become the source of GTA 6 leaks before its release date. The Take-Two CEO dismissed the idea, assuring fans that they would see both boxed and digital versions.

More recently, there were rumblings that the studio would invite critics to a secure location. Normally, journalists are free to test games in their own offices or homes. This approach would again control the flow of information but also limit access to a smaller group.

Zelnick confirmed that reviews will remain a crucial part of the open-world crime epic’s launch. Even so, Rockstar could be more selective about who gets to experience it in advance. To avoid GTA 6 leaks, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn of an embargo date on or just before November 19th.