Take-Two Interactive chief Strauss Zelnick has confessed that he is “running scared” before the release of the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI later this year.
Strauss Zelnick has admitted he is feeling the pressure ahead of the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, describing himself as “nervous” as anticipation builds for one of the most long-awaited games of all time.
The Take-Two Interactive boss said the weight of expectation surrounding the next entry in the blockbuster franchise is unlike anything the company has faced before, particularly given the record-breaking success of Grand Theft Auto V.
Speaking at an event in Las Vegas earlier this week, Zelnick said: “I run so scared with regard to all of our releases, just multiply it by a billion this time around. And I think the minute you stop running scared, you better get a different job if you’re in the entertainment business.”
Despite those nerves, Zelnick expressed confidence in the teams at Rockstar Games, highlighting the studio’s creative talent as the driving force behind the project.
He said: “We’re blessed that we have some of the greatest creative talent on earth working inside the four walls of Take-Two.
“The way you create hits is to find the most talented people, give them the resources they need, and let them pursue their passion.”
The executive also stressed the importance of maintaining creative independence, calling it a “hallmark of success” for the publisher’s biggest franchises.
As part of that approach, Zelnick confirmed that GTA VI will avoid real-world brand partnerships, a move designed to preserve the series’ fictional identity.
He explained: “We need to be true to the underlying intellectual property and we need to be true to our consumers. It’s a fictional world and everything in it is fictional… I think that keeps us pure.”
With a release expected later this year, GTA VI is widely tipped to become one of the biggest entertainment launches in history. For Zelnick, however, the focus remains firmly on execution rather than expectations.
He said: “If you claim success before you have it, you will largely be wrong.”
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick ‘nervous’ for GTA VI release
