Take-Two Interactive has parted ways with its head of AI, Luke Dicken, along with an undisclosed number of employees from the company’s AI division. The layoffs come at a curious time, just months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, and despite CEO Strauss Zelnick repeatedly stating that the publisher is “actively embracing generative AI” across its studios.

What Happened At Take-Two’s AI Division

Dicken confirmed the layoffs in a LinkedIn post on Thursday, writing that his time at Take-Two, and that of his team, had come to an end. He noted that the group had been developing technology to support game development for seven years, describing their work as matching innovation and problem-solving with strong product design to create systems that empower people throughout the development workflow.

Dicken took over as Take-Two’s head of AI in early 2025 after spending a decade at Zynga, where much of the AI team originally came from. Take-Two acquired Zynga in 2022 for US$12.7 billion, though the partnership has struggled to produce new hits since then. Several of Dicken’s industry colleagues publicly expressed surprise at the news.

Take-Two has declined to comment on the layoffs.

A Mixed Message On AI From The Top

The restructure sits awkwardly alongside Take-Two’s public messaging around AI. During a recent investor call, Zelnick confirmed that the company has hundreds of AI pilots and implementations running across its studios, framing the technology as a way to drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and free up creators to focus on making better entertainment.

At the same time, Zelnick has consistently played down the idea that generative AI could ever replace the human creativity needed to build something like Grand Theft Auto. Take-Two’s stance has generally been more measured than some of its competitors, positioning AI as a tool for streamlining mundane tasks rather than a replacement for developers.

Last month, the company actively distanced itself from tools like Google’s Genie after its stock price took a hit from investors worried that generative AI could allow anyone to make world-class games without massive teams. Take-Two president Karl Slatoff pushed back firmly, saying Genie was early in its iteration and not even in the same ballpark as a proper game engine.

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A Broader Pattern At Take-Two

This is not the first round of staff cuts at Take-Two in recent months. Back in November, Rockstar Games reportedly dismissed employees suspected of leaking confidential information related to GTA 6. That round included senior staff who had been working on the game for years, and it reportedly led to significant morale issues within the studio.

The timing of the AI team layoffs also stands out given the wider industry conversation around the technology. Capcom recently outlined its own AI policy, claiming it would boost productivity and efficiency. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s DLSS 5 showcase drew criticism after it demonstrated how AI-driven graphics technology could visibly degrade NPC quality in popular games. Even Arc Raiders, which sold millions of copies with AI-voiced NPCs, has begun replacing those recordings with real human voice actors.

What This Signals Ahead Of GTA 6

With GTA 6 on the horizon, the decision to restructure the AI division raises questions about how Take-Two plans to integrate the technology going forward. Reports suggest there is currently very little AI usage in GTA 6 itself, which aligns with Zelnick’s repeated emphasis on human creativity as the primary driver of development.

Whether this reshuffle reflects a genuine change in strategy or simply a reorganisation of resources remains unclear. Take-Two’s silence on the matter leaves plenty of room for speculation, but the move does suggest that the company’s approach to AI may be evolving, even as its leadership continues to talk up the technology’s potential publicly.

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Grand Theft Auto VI is officially entering its marketing phase this summer, with parent company Take-Two Interactive reaffirming that the long-awaited game is still locked in for a November 19, 2026 release date.

The update comes directly from Take-Two’s Q3 2026 earnings results, where the publisher struck a notably confident tone after years of delays and silence around Rockstar’s next flagship release.

Take-Two Reaffirms November 19 Release Date

In its earnings statement, Take-Two reiterated that Grand Theft Auto VI remains scheduled for November 19, 2026. The company went further than in previous updates, explicitly confirming that Rockstar’s launch marketing will begin in Summer 2026.

“Our execution throughout Fiscal 2026 has been extraordinary and we are highly confident as we approach Fiscal 2027, led by the November 19th release of Grand Theft Auto VI, with Rockstar’s launch marketing set to begin this Summer,” the company said.

That wording marks a shift for a publisher that traditionally avoids discussing marketing timelines well in advance.

Strauss Zelnick Says Confidence Is at an All-Time High

Speaking to IGN, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said he feels “very good” about the current release window.

When pressed on how this confidence differs from previous assurances, Zelnick pointed to how close the company now is to marketing activation.

“Any time you’re getting closer to marketing beats, you’re obviously in a place where your confidence level is as high as it can be,” he said.

Zelnick later described publicly committing to marketing beats as a major departure from his usual approach, reinforcing the sense that internal timelines are finally solidifying.

What Summer Marketing Could Mean for Fans

While Take-Two did not detail what form the summer marketing will take, it opens the door to several possibilities. Fans have already seen two cinematic trailers showcasing dual protagonists Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, alongside Rockstar’s fictional Leonida setting, including Vice City.

It remains unclear whether the summer campaign will include a third trailer, gameplay footage, or extended reveals. Take-Two has not confirmed specific formats or dates.

Physical Release Still Planned for 2026

Zelnick also addressed speculation around a delayed physical launch. Despite earlier reports suggesting Rockstar might release GTA 6 digitally first to avoid leaks, he confirmed that delaying physical editions to 2027 “is not the plan.”

That clarification will be welcome news for collectors and players who prefer boxed copies at launch.

GTA Franchise Continues Strong Momentum

Even ahead of GTA 6, the franchise continues to perform well financially. Take-Two reported that GTA-related results vastly outpaced forecasts during the quarter, with GTA+ memberships nearly doubling year over year.

The Safehouse in the Hills update for GTA Online was cited as a key contributor, while Grand Theft Auto V has now surpassed 225 million units sold globally.

Take-Two posted $1.76 billion in net bookings for the quarter and raised its full-year outlook to between $6.65 billion and $6.7 billion, with nearly half of annual earnings expected to come from its mobile division, Zynga.

As summer approaches, all eyes will be on Rockstar to see how it reintroduces GTA 6 to the spotlight, and whether that renewed marketing push finally puts an end to years of uncertainty around its release.

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