It’s 2026, and artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword. It is now part of everyday life across industries, including gaming. As studios experiment with new tools, there is still no clear agreement on how far AI should go in game development. Some creators see it as the future, while others remain cautious. With GTA 6 slated to launch this year, Take Two Interactive has now weighed in on the discussion. According to the company, AI will not be involved in the creative development of Rockstar’s next game. Instead, the studio says it is relying on traditional methods for world building and storytelling, a stance likely to reassure players who worry that heavy AI use could make games feel less personal. However, this also doesn’t mean that the developers are rejecting AI altogether. Read on to know more.
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Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, CEO of Take-Two Interactive Strauss Zelnick explained that Rockstar Games is not using generative or procedural AI to create the world of GTA 6. According to him, the game’s version of Vice City is being designed manually, with developers working on it building by building and street by street. He made it clear that every major creative decision is still handled by people, not machines.
Zelnick’s comments stand in contrast to growing concerns around AI generated content in games. Some players fear that heavy use of AI could lead to lifeless worlds or recycled ideas. Rockstar’s approach suggests that GTA 6 will avoid that path. The company believes creativity cannot come from data alone, which is why AI is not being used to design characters, stories, or locations.
While Take Two is avoiding AI for creative work, it is not rejecting the technology entirely. Zelnick said the company has been using machine learning tools for years to support development. These systems are mainly used to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline internal processes. Hundreds of small AI pilot projects are reportedly running across different studios, but none of them are focused on creating actual game content.
This means AI may help developers work faster or test systems more efficiently, but it will not write dialogue, design missions, or shape the game world. Zelnick was direct about this, stating that creativity cannot exist inside an AI model because it only works with existing data.
Alongside these comments, Take Two also reaffirmed the release window for GTA 6 in its latest financial report. The company once again confirmed that the game is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026. At launch, it will be available only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. There is still no official word on a PC version.
Also read: You can beat GTA San Andreas in just one hour: Here’s how