GTA 6 Faces Massive Expectations After GTA 5’s 210 Million Copies Sold

With Grand Theft Auto 6 being one of the most anticipated games of all time, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick is making it clear that Rockstar Games is not taking success for granted.

Despite GTA 5 selling over 210 million copies and setting the industry standard across three console generations, Zelnick emphasizes that their next release must earn its success.

Rockstar’s Pursuit of Creative Perfection

In a recent CNBC interview, Zelnick explained that GTA 6 has taken so long to develop because Rockstar aims for “creative perfection.” The game’s massive scope and meticulous attention to detail mean that every element is carefully crafted.

Even GTA 5’s electrical grid was designed with realism in mind, and Rockstar is expected to push the boundaries even further with GTA 6.

Despite the overwhelming anticipation, Zelnick remains cautious about expectations: “We don’t claim success until it occurs.” He acknowledges that GTA 5 has been a landmark for the industry, but with GTA 6, the bar is even higher.

When Will GTA 6 Launch?

While the gaming industry anxiously awaits an official release date, other publishers are reportedly avoiding major game releases around GTA 6’s launch window.

Some speculate that a September release is unlikely due to Take-Two’s own Borderlands 4 launching that month.

However, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra dismisses such concerns, saying “Rockstar is controlled by no one, including their publisher.”

How Much AI is in GTA 6?

Zelnick was also asked about AI’s role in GTA 6’s development, but he carefully dodged specifics. He acknowledged that while Rockstar has used digital tools from the beginning, the real creative power is human-driven.

This suggests that AI may assist in some aspects but that Rockstar’s signature game design remains in the hands of its developers.

With no official GTA 6 release date yet, the wait continues. Until then, fans can only hope that Rockstar’s pursuit of perfection leads to a game that redefines open-world gaming once again.