Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has spoken about the substantial investment in Grand Theft Auto 6, acknowledging its high cost and lengthy development while subtly criticizing industry practices that prioritize strict deadlines over game polish.
"It was expensive and it took a long time," Zelnick told The Wall Street Journal regarding GTA 6's production. He emphasized Take-Two's mission to "make the best entertainment on Earth," a goal that necessitates significant time and resources. Zelnick stated that their strategy centers on creativity, innovation, and efficiency, supported by a financial structure that allows for such ambitious projects when executed successfully. He cautioned against premature declarations of success, noting that "arrogance is the enemy of continued success" and that he, like everyone else, will await the game's reception.
Zelnick also touched upon the recent delay of GTA 6 to November 2026, describing it as "expensive and inconvenient" but ultimately the correct decision for the game's quality. He contrasted this approach with companies that adhere rigidly to schedules, potentially at the expense of their product's state at launch. While not naming any specific titles, Zelnick alluded to a "very high-profile release" in recent years that was so flawed upon shipping that it had to be withdrawn. This description strongly suggests a reference to the troubled launch of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, which was initially pulled from the PlayStation Store due to its poor performance and widespread issues, leading to numerous refund requests. Despite its rocky debut, Cyberpunk 2077 has since achieved significant commercial success with over 40 million copies sold, bolstered by extensive post-launch support and updates. Zelnick implied that the alternative to this approach is to "ship, and then have to pull the title after shipping, because it didn't work."
Rockstar Games' ambition for GTA 6 is to deliver "the most amazing entertainment experience of all time," according to Zelnick. He expressed hope that the studio will replicate its past successes, but maintained a stance of cautious optimism, stating, "I feel really good about it, but I'll wait and see."
GTA 6 is slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.