Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has delivered his most forceful comments yet on the intersection of AI and game development — and his verdict on whether artificial intelligence could create something like Grand Theft Auto VI is blunt: "laughable."
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Zelnick was asked whether AI tools like Google's Genie could level the playing field, making it possible for anyone to create a AAA open-world experience like GTA VI.
His response: "Not even the littlest bit."
Zero Generative AI in GTA VI
Zelnick made an explicit, unambiguous statement about Rockstar's development approach:
"Generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building."
He went further, describing how GTA VI's world is constructed:
"Their worlds are handcrafted... built from the ground up, building by building, street by street."
This is a remarkable statement in an era where virtually every major tech company is rushing to integrate generative AI into their products. Rockstar is going the opposite direction — doubling down on human craftsmanship.
AI as a Tool, Not a Creator
Importantly, Zelnick drew a sharp distinction between generative AI (which creates content) and traditional AI/ML tools (which assist human creators):
"On the topic of AI, I've been enthusiastic since the very beginning. This company's products have always been built with machine learning and artificial intelligence."
"We have hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company, including within our studios."
"Generative AI tools are driving costs and time efficiencies."
So Take-Two does use AI — for things like:
But the creative vision, world design, and content of GTA VI? That's 100% human.
Why This Matters
Zelnick's core argument is philosophical:
"Tools by themselves [don't] create great entertainment properties."
He's arguing that what makes GTA special isn't technical execution — it's creative vision, cultural commentary, and human storytelling. These are things AI can assist with but fundamentally cannot originate.
Consider what makes GTA's satire work:
An AI can generate a city. It cannot generate Vice City.
The Broader Industry Context
Zelnick's stance puts Take-Two at odds with several competitors who are aggressively pursuing generative AI:
Rockstar's approach is a bet that quality over quantity will win — that players can tell the difference between a handcrafted world and a generated one.
Given that GTA VI has already cleared the entire holiday 2026 release calendar through sheer anticipation alone, it's hard to argue with their strategy.
What This Means for GTA VI
For players, Zelnick's comments are reassuring:
When you explore Vice City on November 19, every corner, every alley, every sunset view was put there on purpose by someone at Rockstar. No shortcuts. No AI fill.
That's why it took over a decade to make. And that's why it'll be worth the wait.