GTA 6 boss confirms the game is completely AI-free, then immediately contradicts himself

Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently shared big news about Grand Theft Auto 6. He said the game will not use any generative artificial intelligence. This seems like great news for fans who want traditional game development. However, Zelnick then explained that the company is “actively embracing” AI in almost every other part of its business.

AI has caused a lot of worry in the creative world lately. Take Two felt this pressure when its stock dropped about 10 percent to a six-month low. This happened after Google’s Project Genie appeared on social media. That tool uses AI to create entire game worlds, making people fear that handmade games might disappear. Still, Zelnick does not see these new technologies as a real threat to Take Two and Rockstar Games.

According to Dot Esports, GTA 6 is still planned to launch on November 19, 2026. Marketing for the game will start this summer. The company expects record profits next year because of this release, showing they trust the game’s quality.

The game’s world is built entirely by human designers

Zelnick made it clear that GTA 6 is made with care and effort. He said, “Generative AI has zero part in what Rockstar Games is building.” He explained that every building, street, and neighborhood in the game is completely handcrafted. This means the game world will feel purposeful and deep, not randomly created by computers.

While creative work stays human-made, Zelnick is excited about using AI for other tasks. He said Take Two’s products have always used machine learning and artificial intelligence. He noted they have “actually always been a leader in the space.”

The company currently has “hundreds of pilots and implementations across our company, including within our studios.” Zelnick has a clear view on why AI cannot handle the creative parts of gaming. He previously explained that AI is a “backwards looking” tool because it uses old information. This means it cannot create truly new or fresh entertainment.

He assured everyone that AI will not replace creativity in their studios, saying, “Tools don’t replace creativity, and tools are not projects.” Rockstar has always paid close attention to detail, as seen in hidden teases in Red Dead Redemption 2.

AI can help studios work faster on testing or office tasks, but the main creative ideas still need humans. Zelnick believes these tools are important for progress. He thinks “tools are what drive additional innovation in what [Take Two] we do, drive efficiency, and drive creativity, and that’s our three-part strategy.”

While GTA 6 does not use generative AI, future games from the company might be different. This approach seems smart for staying competitive without losing the quality fans expect. The game has already stirred up controversy, with Russia threatening to ban the game over certain content. For now, fans can feel confident that the massive world coming on November 19, 2026, is entirely built by dedicated human hands.