Take-Two CEO Dismisses AI Creating a Game Like GTA 6 as ‘Ridiculous’
AI tools and technology are currently at the forefront of the gaming industry, with many companies eager to integrate them into their products, even if the outcomes aren’t always impressive. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, expressed skepticism about the idea that AI could produce something as ambitious as the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, which is set to release in November.
In a recent episode of a gaming business podcast, Zelnick was asked whether AI generation tools, like Google’s Genie, could democratize game development and enable anyone to create a blockbuster experience akin to GTA. His response was straightforward: “Not even the littlest bit.”
Zelnick pointed out that there are already numerous technologies available that allow individuals to create video games, resulting in thousands of new titles each year. However, the majority of successful games still come from major entertainment companies, with only a few indie titles breaking through, typically those that are well-funded and robust.
He dismissed the idea that new tools could enable someone to simply push a button and generate a hit game that would reach millions of players worldwide. “It’s a laughable notion. It’s just never been the case with entertainment. Right now, there are programs in music that let you input a prompt and receive a professionally recorded song in return. It sounds like a song, but I challenge you to listen to it more than once. It’s nice for a birthday greeting, but that’s about it.”
Earlier this year, video game stocks took a hit when Google unveiled Genie, an AI tool that allowed users to create basic, game-like interactive 3D experiences. Despite widespread acknowledgment from developers and journalists that Genie was far from producing actual video games, let alone a major GTA-style title, the market reacted negatively, surprising Zelnick.
“I was kind of stunned by the market’s reaction,” he said regarding the situation. “They seemed to view it as a threat to our work, when it’s clear that creation tools are beneficial for our industry.”
Zelnick elaborated on the misconception that AI tools would enable everyone to create hits. While these tools might assist in asset creation, they don’t guarantee success. “There are plenty of assets available now. Whether you generate an asset with a button press or spend six weeks on it, you still end up with just an asset. Thousands of mobile games are released each year, yet only a handful become hits.”
He further noted that while it’s possible to create assets that resemble major releases like NBA 2K or EA Sports FC, crafting a hit of that scale requires genuine human creativity and engagement.
