Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed in a recent interview that he has yet to play GTA 6 despite guiding a company responsible for developing the game. The popular Grand Theft Auto franchise has always done well and is now one of the most anticipated franchises. Yet fans are surprised to hear that Zelnick isn’t a regular gamer. Zelnick said in the interview that he is not a big consumer and does not play video games.
Because Zelnick hasn’t played games, his role lies more in leading and shaping the business. He made sure to tell others that his job involves finding and supporting top developers, such as Rockstar and 2K, and allowing them to make decisions about their games. I attract superb talent, support their growth, and then let them do their roles. It’s probably a poor decision for a CEO to be the leading consumer of entertainment products. He also highlighted that he had succeeded as a film, TV, and music leader, though he wasn’t the primary consumer.
There will be no release of GTA 6 until May 2026. As players wonder about the details of the game, Rockstar Games has admitted that it will likely be released later. The game was originally to be released in Fall 2025, but Rockstar Games has just confirmed that it will now be available from May 26, 2026. Rockstar said that more time is required to ensure you receive the high-quality product you are used to. Despite the schedule change, Zelnick believes the studio can complete their goals. Usually, once we decide on an exact date, we can deliver the game on schedule. Because Rockstar has an excellent reputation in this field, fans still look forward to GTA 6 despite the wait. As we move closer to 2026, Zelnick’s remarks highlight that those providing strategic direction for gaming companies usually observe, rather than those playing the game on screen.
