GTA 6 publisher is ready to fully support Switch 2. Take-Two CEO doesn't worry about GTA 6 and AI
Take-Two intends to fully support both Rockstar Games' pursuit of perfection in GTA 6 (and beyond) and Nintendo Switch 2 as a console for every audience.
The Take-Two Interactive investor conference didn't bring out the second trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, which fans were eagerly anticipating. Although, Strauss Zelnick had a lot to say about the sixth GTA - as well as Switch 2 and AI.
Switch 2 for every recipient
During the investor meeting, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive was asked about how much the company intends to support the new Nintendo console. In response, Zelnick didn't mention any particular title but suggested that the company is now viewing the Japanese manufacturer's devices differently.
He explained that Nintendo consoles used to target younger players, but now the Switch (and Switch 2) can serve "any audience," and Take-Two is prepared to "fully support" the "Big N" devices. Zelnick pointed to Civilization 7 as an example of a title that appeared on Switch.
Of course, there remains one big "but" - will Switch 2 be able to handle the next installments of the publisher's biggest brands? Sid Meier's Civilization 7 was also released on the eighth generation of consoles, such as PS4 and XOne, but GTA 6 won't be available on these platforms. There is also no doubt how demanding this title will be even for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, let alone for the weaker Switch 2.
Another issue is that the first Switch, in terms of power, lags behind the PS4 and XOne, yet Civilization 7 supposedly runs quite well on it - although this required a significant reduction in map size.
Perfection above all and vigilant competition
Zelnick also didn't fail to underline again Rockstar Games studio's pursuit of "perfection," which he also repeated in an interview for GamesIndustry.biz. In his opinion, the developers of GTA are unique in the industry and Take-Two Interactive aims to provide them with "resources, human and financial, to allow them to pursue what they are passionate about, as well as support their pursuit of perfection."
Rockstar, I think, sort of alone in the business, seeks perfection and we as an organization, we hope, provide the resources, human and financial, to allow them to pursue what they're passionate about and to seek perfection. So it's nothing extraordinary. Right now Red Dead Online, for example, has its highest concurrent users on Steam ever, it's nothing short of amazing.
No one else really can tell that story and I think that's because no one else has aggregated the talent that Rockstar has aggregated. Also Rockstar has this extraordinary focus on two titles, on Red Dead and on GTA, and we are not only willing but happy to provide that support because that is what Rockstar is passionate about personally.
Take-Two really wants to allow Rockstar Games to work as long as it takes to achieve this "perfection." Fortunately, this hasn't yet resulted in a change of the release date: the launch of GTA 6 is still scheduled for the fall of 2025.
Zelnick also didn't find it appropriate to respond to any "rumors or fears," because instead of these, he mainly sees the enthusiasm of the players. However, he stressed that the competition isn't idle while waiting for GTA 6, and Take-Two doesn't plan to celebrate success too early. As he put it, "arrogance is the enemy of sustained success."
AI without barriers, unless for IP protection
In the same conversation, the American also addressed the issue of using artificial intelligence in game development. Not for the first time, as he has returned to this topic many times in the past.
Interestingly, according to Zelnick, the terms "machine learning" and "artificial intelligence" are oxymorons, used to simply explain something that to ordinary people looks like "magic." AI tools are primarily just "tools" - something that will help "business," but in no way will lead to layoffs.
Nonetheless, he deemed it appropriate to add that Take-Two Interactive would never use AI in a way that could "infringe on other people's intellectual property." And these are essentially the only "barriers" that need to be introduced in relation to "creative" artificial intelligence - at least according to Zelnick.
