Generative AI Has Zero Part in GTA 6 Says Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick

The upcoming follow-up to GTA 5 is scheduled for release in November, and Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar Games’ long-awaited sequel to the game will be released as . The game’s marketing campaign will begin this summer, Rockstar parent Take-Two said in a statement that it was “very much on the back of our minds” to launch its new venture this week. However Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has now confirmed that there will be no generative AI in GTA 6 at all.

in a interview with GamesIndustry about Paraphrasingr, who was interviewed by the. During the run-up to Take-Two’s third quarter FY 2026 earnings call, Zelnick spoke about the company’S policy on AI use ahead of its announcement that it would be “administered by biz.” Take-Two boss stressed that “Take-twa and its subsidiaries used AI in productivity tools rather than creative output.” But he was “enthusiastic” about the technology from the very beginning, Zelnick said, rather than looking at AI as a threat.”

The products of this company are always based on machine learning and artificial intelligence. We’ve actually been a leader in the space, and today we have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company — including within our studios. The executive said ‘We’re already seeing examples of generative AI tools driving costs and time efficiencies.

GTA 6 ‘Handcrafted’ by Rockstar

Nevertheless, Zelnick pointed out that “generative AI will never replace human creativity” and confirmed that everything in Grand Theft Auto 6 was made by Rockstar developers.

Do I think tools by themselves make great entertainment? No, there is no proof that this’s the case and it won’t be the future. For example, Generative AI has no role in what Rockstar Games is building specifically with regard to GTA 6.

Their worlds are made from scratch, and they have a handcrafted version of their words. It is that’s what makes s so special.” They’re a building-based construction, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. But if they’re not procedurally generated, they shouldn’t be procedural. What makes good fun is that’s what paraphrasing does.” Paraphrast.

Zelnick has not commented on AI and its potential in game development, but this is the first time it has been a commentator for “AI” as well as how to use . The Take-Two CEO said the impact of AI on game development was ‘limited’ back in October last year, as AI models did not have “creativity” and that it had a negative effect on Game Development.

There were no limitations [on AI] on what he said, “Let’s say there were. Will we push a button tomorrow and make an ‘Grand Theft Auto’ marketing plan?’ Zelnick told the time in an interview. There is no one to say,’ . A you can’t do that yet, B I am of the view that you would never end up with anything very good. What you get is a pretty derivative of what you think’s the most interesting thing to be your ? – ’.

AI in Game Development

Though a number of companies have admitted that they are using the technology to speed up development times and reduce costs, even though there is some controversy surrounding generative AI in game development. Though concept art, text or other in-game content is criticized for using generative AI to create game assets, the studios such as Baldur’s Gate 3 maker Larian and Arc Raiders developer Embark have admitted that they use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their processes.

Larian was criticized by gamers in December for its acceptance of AI as part of the games’ development process, including concept art. Later, the studio reverted and said it will not use any GenAI art in its next game, Divinity. While Larion CEO Swen Vincke said the studio would still be’refined faster’ and deliver a ‘higher-quality game’, it was not yet using AI to help “suggest ideas” as they work on their own.

In a statement earlier this week, Take-Two reported its earnings for the third quarter of FY 2026 and confirmed that November 19, 20 26, launch date for GTA 6 was imminent. Zelnick said during the earnings call that launch marketing push for GTA 6 would begin “this summer”. He also disputed a theory that Take-Two was planning to delay the physical release of GTA 6 in order to prevent early leaks.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is confirmed to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X on November 19.

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