While Take-Two Interactive might be getting ready to see record profits once Grand Theft Auto 6 finally comes out on May 26, 2026, according to CEO Strauss Zelnick, the company isn’t resting on its laurels just yet. In an interview with The Game Business, Zelnick spoke about what it means for the company to compete with other major games these days, and how success isn’t just guaranteed regardless of how big an upcoming release might be.
“We do not rest on our laurels. We don’t believe that success is guaranteed,” said Zelnick when asked about managing the future of Take-Two Interactive. “We are looking over our shoulders. We are running scared. I am fond of saying that arrogance is the enemy of continued success. We know that in the next two, three, five, ten years… there is going to be an array of big new titles, and maybe even some new formats.”
“Our three-part strategy is to be the most creative, the most innovative and the most efficient company in the business. We need to innovate to make sure we continue to be a leader. I am not sure specifically about what young people want versus any other segment of the population, but I am sure there is great opportunity if you bring somebody something fantastic and unexpected.”
Zelnick also spoke about other subjects, like one of the companies owned by Take-Two – Zynga – was looking to expand its gaming audience by focusing on growth in new markets like the Middle East and India. He stated that this was the long-term plan for the company, going on to mention how Take-Two’s business strategies aren’t focused on short-term ideas. Rather, “We run this business for five, ten, 15, 20 years down the road,” he said.
“My team and I took over this company 18 years ago. I am not sure at the time that I expected to be here for 18 years. How could I have? But I did expect to build the business so that it would be solid and successful and growing in 18 years hence. And I intend to do the same thing now. People moan about markets being short-term focused… markets aren’t short-term focused, human beings are short-term focused. But we are not.”
With regards to the company’s future when it comes to stagnating console sales, Zelnick also spoke about how the company likes to focus on casting as wide a net as possible by releasing its titles on all systems. He did note, however, that while some games don’t come to all platforms at the same time, they do eventually end up everywhere. A notable example of this would be the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
“I am selectively confident about its future,” Zelnick said about the console business. “We aim to put out our properties on all systems where consumers are and want to be. Not necessarily with the initial release, but over time. We’re not beholden to any particular technology set. Nor should we be.”
In a recent Q&A, Zelnick had also spoken about 2K’s decision to price Borderlands 4 at $70 rather than $80.
