Investors are glued to Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) on January 19 following reports of an explosion at Rockstar North’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
The explosion led to structural damage, pushing emergency services into temporarily sealing the building as well. However, no injuries have been reported so far.
Note that Rockstar North is the studio behind the most hotly-anticipated video game release on the calendar this year – Grand Theft Auto 6.
Naturally, therefore, investors are concerned that this tragic development in Edinburgh could result in a further delay in the release of that blockbuster title.
What caused the explosion at Rockstar North’s HQ?
Early reports from Edinburgh suggest the blast at Rockstar North’s headquarters originated in the building’s boiler room, though investigators have yet to confirm the precise cause.
Fire crews were dispatched just after 5 am local time and worked for several hours to secure the site, which sustained notable structural damage.
The incident forced emergency services to “seal off” the premises as well until safety checks were completed.
While no injuries were reported, the disruption has raised questions about the studio’s operations and whether development timelines could be affected.
Officials continue to probe the circumstances, with a full assessment expected in the coming days.
Should you expect a further delay in the release of GTA 6?
Grand Theft Auto 6 has already faced delays twice, fuelling frustration among fans and increased scrutiny from investors.
Originally slated for 2025, the flagship title is now expected to be released in November 2026 – making it the most closely watched release of the video game industry this year.
Naturally, the explosion at Rockstar North’s headquarters in Edinburgh sparked speculation of yet another delay.
However, such concerns appear “premature” – according to Gameranx. Why?
Mostly because no injuries were reported, and Rockstar has a global development footprint, which means work is not confined to a single office.
While structural damage is serious, there’s no “official” indication that the incident will alter GTA 6’s current November 2026 release window.
How to play Take-Two Interactive stock in 2026
Experts believe much of TTWO shares’ future performance hinges on the release and reception of GTA 6.
Therefore, provided that Take-Two Interactive Inc comes up with an “official statement” shortly, confirming the Edinburgh news is unlikely to result in any further delays, investors hardly have a reason to panic just yet.
The giant’s upcoming earnings in early February could prove a near-term catalyst, given it’s seen reporting 40 cents of profit on a per-share basis – up nearly 18% versus the same quarter last year.
Note that Wall Street firms are sticking to their “strong buy” consensus rating on Take-Two shares as well, with price targets going as high as about $300.
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