Take-Two Draws a Line on AI Use for GTA VI

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded across creative industries, video games have found themselves at the centre of a growing debate. While AI tools are already being adopted for testing, optimisation, and production workflows, many players remain uneasy about their influence on creativity and authorship. That tension has been especially visible around major releases, where trust in craftsmanship still matters deeply.

For Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated games of 2026, Take-Two Interactive has now made its stance clear. The publisher has confirmed that generative AI will play no role in the creation of Rockstar Games’ next blockbuster.

Take-Two Is Actively Exploring AI Elsewhere

The clarification comes directly from Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, speaking in a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz ahead of the company’s latest financial results. Zelnick was quick to stress that Take-Two is not opposed to AI as a technology. In fact, he described ambitions for the publisher to become a leader in AI adoption across the business.

According to Zelnick, Take-Two is already running multiple AI-related initiatives and pilot programmes, largely focused on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and streamlining production pipelines. These efforts sit firmly on the operational side of development rather than creative authorship.

GTA VI Is Being Built Without Generative AI

Despite that openness, Zelnick confirmed that GTA VI itself will contain no generative AI content. Rockstar Games is developing the title entirely through its internal teams, with environments, assets, and world design created by hand rather than generated procedurally.

Zelnick highlighted that every road, building, and location is being deliberately crafted by developers, reinforcing Rockstar’s long-standing reputation for meticulous world-building. He argued that this approach is precisely what allows Rockstar titles to stand apart, particularly in an era where automation is becoming increasingly common.

A Clear Creative Statement Ahead of Launch

The decision positions GTA VI as a statement release at a time when AI-driven content creation is rapidly expanding across the industry. While many studios are experimenting with procedural and generative tools to scale production, Take-Two appears keen to reassure players that Rockstar’s flagship series will remain rooted in traditional craftsmanship.

GTA VI is currently scheduled to launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Take-Two has also reiterated that the game will release physically and digitally on the same day, dispelling earlier rumours of a staggered launch.