Strauss Zelnick, CEO of "Grand Theft Auto VI" publisher Take-Two Interactive, recently commented on the difficulty of creating hit games, noting that even "former Rockstar employees" have tried and failed to replicate the success of "GTA." Given the timing and context of his remarks, the comments are widely seen as a reference to the troubled game "MindsEye."
"MindsEye" was developed by Build a Rocket Boy, a studio founded by Rockstar veteran Leslie Benzies. The game garnered significant attention before its release for its ambitious open world and metaverse concepts. However, its launch was plagued by extensive technical issues and negative reviews, leading to reports of hundreds of layoffs at the studio.
Speaking at the 54th Annual TD Cowen Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Zelnick stated that creating blockbuster hits is becoming increasingly difficult as the entertainment industry matures. "The team at Rockstar seems to be able to create these massive, incredibly successful properties, and lots of other people have tried, including former Rockstar people," he said. "And they have not been able to do it to date."
However, Zelnick clarified that this doesn't mean other teams won't find success in the future. He argued that the true industry game-changers are talented individuals who can create amazing results, not just technology. Zelnick added that Take-Two's goal is to keep those creators within its ecosystem.
Addressing the long 13-year gap between "GTA V" and "GTA VI," Zelnick explained that Take-Two never intended to turn its non-sports franchises into annualized releases. He believes that a fixed release schedule can lead to inconsistent quality, and that the "GTA" brand grew into a top-tier property precisely because the team is willing to invest the time needed to polish its content. "Grand Theft Auto VI" is currently slated for a Fall 2025 release.
via： IGN