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Take-Two Interactive Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick is convinced that AI will not deprive people of jobs but, on the contrary, will help to create new jobs and increase productivity. He also noted that Rockstar is looking forward to the fall release of GTA 6 in 2025 and discussed several other topics in an interview with GameIndustry.biz.
Answering a question about the use of artificial intelligence at Take-Two Interactive and its subsidiary studios, Zelnick emphasized that this is a new technology that, like any other, can help improve business efficiency.
“Artificial intelligence is an oxymoron, there’s no such thing. Machine learning, machines don’t learn. Those are convenient ways to explain to human beings what looks like magic. The bottom line is that these are digital tools and we’ve used digital tools forever. I have no doubt that what is considered AI today will help make our business more efficient and help us do better work, but it won’t reduce employment,” Zelnick said.
The CEO of Take-Two Interactive also emphasizes that the company will not use machine learning to infringe on the intellectual property of others. One of the reasons for this is the company’s desire to respect the work of others in order to protect its own projects in the future.
Strauss Zelnick also commented on the wide portfolio of games that will be released under the auspices of Take-Two in 2025. In particular, he talked about the annual release of new projects and more freedom for some studios. He noted that annual releases only make sense for sports games, while other projects, such as Grand Theft Auto 6, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, or Mafia: The Old Country, should build expectations among players.
“And secondly, to create anticipation, to create desire. And if you know something that’s coming like clockwork every year, I think it’s harder to create that anticipation and desire. We’re seeing that extraordinary anticipation with regard to GTA 6, for example. but I think you’re also going to see anticipation with regard to Mafia. Right now, today, in Early Access, we’ve seen the enormous enthusiasm around the Civilisation 7,” said the CEO.
Continuing the topic of releases scheduled for 2025, Zelnick commented on the expected release of Grand Theft Auto 6 this fall. He noted that he has not heard any concerns from Rockstar developers about the potential release, but rather that everyone is enthusiastic about it. However, he cannot give any guarantees, but only emphasized that the developers are doing their best, and the result will be known later.
In addition, the CEO of Take-Two commented on Donald Trump’s additional tariffs on products from China, Canada, and Mexico. Zelnick noted that most economists would agree that a world without tariffs is a better world, and he is glad that the tariffs for Canada and Mexico have been postponed for now. He is also optimistic about the upcoming negotiations.