Take Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, recently made it clear that GTA 6 will not be utilizing generative AI to procedurally generate its world. Despite much speculation among enthusiasts about the use of Artificial Intelligence in the development of the highly anticipated game, Zelnick confirmed that Rockstar Games is taking a more traditional approach.
In an interview with Games Industry.biz, Zelnick emphasized that Rockstar Games meticulously crafts their worlds by hand, meticulously creating every detail from scratch. This level of attention to detail allows them to create immersive and captivating entertainment products that set them apart from other developers. Zelnick stated, “Their worlds are handcrafted. That’s what differentiates them. They’re built from the ground up, building by building, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. They’re not procedurally generated, they shouldn’t be. That’s what makes great entertainment.”
This stance against generative AI is not new for Zelnick, as he previously spoke out against the technology in a conversation with CNBC. He explained that content created using generative AI cannot be protected or copyrighted, and may not match the quality of content developed by real human developers.
Despite GTA 6’s exclusion of generative AI, Zelnick expressed his interest in the use of other AI tools in the gaming industry. He highlighted Take-Two’s leadership in using various Artificial Intelligence technologies that have helped their studios save time and money. Zelnick mentioned, “This company’s products have always been built with machine learning and artificial intelligence. We’ve actually always been a leader in the space, and right now we have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company, including within our studios.”
One common application of AI in video games is the creation of NPCs (non-playable characters) that populate the game world. These characters can interact with the player and each other, enhancing the overall gaming experience. It is expected that GTA 6, set to release on November 19, 2026, will feature a robust NPC system along with other AI-driven tools.
In conclusion, while GTA 6 may not be using generative AI, Take-Two Interactive remains at the forefront of incorporating AI technologies in their games. The company’s commitment to innovation and leveraging AI tools to enhance gameplay experiences showcases their dedication to delivering cutting-edge entertainment products.
