Take-Two Interactive
Take-Two Interactive business and news from across the web.
GTA 6 Fans Are Getting Excited Again For A Date In August, As Take-Two Makes A Notable ChangeFans are speculating about new Grand Theft Auto 6 information following a change in Take-Two Interactive's quarterly earnings report schedule to August 7. Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, will release its report before the market opens, with a conference call at 8 AM ET. This timing, combined with Take-Two's previous statements about beginning the marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6 this summer, has fueled excitement for potential announcements.
Microsoft Spent $80 Billion On Its Bet For Xbox Game Pass. It Did Not Work.A report indicates Microsoft spent nearly $80 billion over the past decade on initiatives to boost Xbox and Xbox Game Pass, but these efforts did not meet growth expectations. Despite significant investments in acquisitions and third-party deals, Game Pass subscriber numbers have stagnated, leading to recent layoffs and studio divestitures as Microsoft aims to refocus its strategy.- New Xbox CEO Admits Game Pass Bet Has Not Worked OutXbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a strategic reset for the Xbox business, acknowledging that major bets like Xbox Game Pass have not grown at the expected pace. The plan includes mass layoffs and selling off studios, as the company shifts focus to higher priority projects. Sharma admitted the core business has weakened, leading to this significant shakeup.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of gamesSony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
PlayStation to Allow Publishers to Re-Order Discs for Existing Titles After January 2028 – RumorA rumor suggests that PlayStation will allow publishers to re-order physical disc copies of existing games after January 2028, despite plans to cease new disc production. While some publishers are shifting to digital, this alleged policy change offers a potential lifeline for older titles. However, questions remain about the long-term availability and Sony's commitment to physical media preservation, especially as Xbox continues to support disc releases.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
GTA 6 developer Rockstar Games accused of enabling crunch, failing to address gender pay gap, and weaponizing bonusesRockstar Games is facing accusations from union members regarding enabling crunch culture, failing to address the gender pay gap, and issues with bonus compensation. The union claims that employee contracts normalize crunch and that initiatives to fix pay inequity have been scrapped. A Take-Two Interactive spokesperson stated the company strives to provide world-class work environments and is open to dialogue with the union.- Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VIRockstar Games, a label of Take-Two Interactive Software, has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin on June 25, 2026. The game is set to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with various editions and pre-order bonuses detailed.
Relax, PC Gamers: We're not getting GTA 6 on November 19, but we've got, um... 'Phantom Vice Auto'…This article humorously discusses the lack of a PC release date for Grand Theft Auto 6, contrasting it with the fictional 'Phantom Vice Auto' which is set to launch on PC the same day. The author sarcastically praises Phantom Vice Auto's simplistic features and low-quality trailer, highlighting the perceived shortcomings compared to Rockstar's standards.
Digging into SAG-AFTRA’s Stellar Win With Sarah ElmalehActor and SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh discusses the recent Interactive Media Agreement that ended an 11-month strike. The deal includes improved actor pay, new safety standards, and terms for the use of generative AI, giving actors more control over their data. Elmaleh shares her experience navigating the three-year negotiation process.
Godot open-source game engine bans genAI code contributionsThe Godot Foundation has implemented new guidelines banning most generative AI code contributions to its open-source game engine. While AI assistance for tasks like code completion is permitted, the engine will no longer accept substantial AI-generated code to ensure human responsibility and manage the review burden on maintainers. This decision comes amidst broader industry discussions about the use of AI in game development.
Ubisoft hires former Take-Two and Amazon vet to head up its Tom Clancy gamesUbisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann, formerly of Take-Two Interactive and Amazon Game Studios, to lead its "Creative House 2." This new division will oversee major Tom Clancy franchises including The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in Hartmann's ability to build and elevate these established game series.
Another giant US company is looking to expand into gaming claims reportNBCUniversal, the company behind Universal Pictures and the streaming service Peacock, is reportedly considering expanding into the video game business. This potential move comes as the company is preparing for a spin-off from Comcast. While no specific plans have been revealed, NBCUniversal is assessing various growth opportunities, with gaming being one of them.- PGA Tour 2K25 Celebrates America’s Birthday With Nightmare Statue Of Liberty SkinPGA Tour 2K25 has released a new Statue of Liberty-themed cosmetic skin to celebrate the July 4th holiday. The skin, available for purchase with Virtual Currency, adds a unique, albeit unsettling, visual to the game. The article also touches on the monetization strategies of Take-Two Interactive's titles, including Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rockstar UK employees say the GTA 6 developer's still plagued by gender pay gaps, crunch, and vague bonuses which make them 'as pliable as possible to their boss's whims'Employees at Rockstar Games' UK studios report ongoing issues with gender pay gaps, opaque bonus structures, and normalized crunch, despite the studio's work on Grand Theft Auto 6. Union members anonymously shared concerns about a lack of transparency and inconsistent compensation policies, with efforts made to inform staff about their rights regarding working hours.
Ubisoft taps former 2K president Christoph Hartmann to oversee shooter franchisesUbisoft has appointed former 2K president Christoph Hartmann to lead its new 'Creative House 2' division, which focuses on shooter franchises like The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. This move comes as Ubisoft restructures its studio ecosystem, which has also involved significant cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
Union raises concerns over gender pay gaps, bonus management, and crunch at RockstarMembers of the Rockstar Game Workers Union have voiced concerns about potential gender pay gaps, inconsistent bonus management, and contractual overtime requirements that facilitate crunch. The union is seeking voluntary recognition from Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, which stated it fosters a culture of teamwork and kindness and values open dialogue. Employees highlighted issues with the discretionary and often subjective bonus system, a widening gender pay gap, and contract clauses that opt employees out of UK Working Time Regulations, potentially leading to excessive overtime.
PlayStation Announcing the End of Physical Game Releases Resulted in Rise in Stock PricesSony Interactive Entertainment announced it will cease physical game releases for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028, a move that has coincided with a rise in its stock price. This transition aligns with market trends favoring digital purchases and the popularity of disc-less consoles like the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Analysts suggest this decision will also influence future console designs, potentially reducing manufacturing costs for the PlayStation 6.
Xbox is reportedly testing a feature to digitize physical game collections as PlayStation decides to phase out discsXbox is reportedly testing a "Disc to Digital" feature that would allow users to convert their physical game collection into digital entitlements. This comes as PlayStation plans to phase out disc-based games by 2028, and other publishers like Take-Two are opting for digital-only releases, signaling a significant shift in the industry away from physical media.
Ubisoft appoints former 2K and Amazon exec Christoph Hartmann to lead Creative House 2, overseeing Splinter Cell, The Division and Ghost ReconUbisoft has appointed industry veteran Christoph Hartmann as General Manager of its newly formed Creative House 2. This business unit will oversee major franchises including Splinter Cell, The Division, and Ghost Recon, as well as the recently acquired MOBA game March of Giants. Hartmann previously founded 2K Games and led Amazon's games division.