Take-Two Shuns AI: Fires Entire AI Department Amid GTA VI Development Controversy

While most large gaming companies are actively implementing various AI elements to reduce costs and speed up the workflow, one of the market leaders — Take-Two — is taking a completely different path. Publisher's head Strauss Zelnick (Strauss Zelnick) has repeatedly criticized artificial intelligence and stated that such technology will never be able to create a game at the level of GTA, because nothing can replace the creativity and passion of talented specialists.

And now, Take-Two has made a very indicative decision that emphasizes the company's attitude.

Take-Two against neural sludge

The American company fired most of the department that was engaged in the development and implementation of AI technologies in game creation. This was personally reported by Luke Dicken — the now-fired head of the AI department.

Regretfully, I have to inform you that my collaboration and my team's collaboration with T2 has come to an end.

In a week or so, I will write a more detailed post about my work at Zynga and T2, but for now, I would appreciate your help in finding new positions for these wonderful and talented people…

For 7 years, we have been creating cutting-edge technologies to support video game development. These people know how to combine innovations and new approaches to solve problems to create systems with strong design that empower people at all stages of production.

GTA VI without AI?

Take-Two representatives do not comment on the decision and do not disclose the number of fired individuals, however, from Luke Dicken's wording, it can be concluded that most of them were employees of Zynga — the developer of popular mobile games, which Take-Two acquired in 2022 for $12.7 billion.

Of course, it is bad that people lost their jobs, but surely many gamers were pleased with this decision, as it indirectly confirms Zelnick's words that generative AI is not used in the development of GTA VI.

Source: linkedin