Zynga
Zynga business and news from across the web.
Take-Two's ex-AI boss says the generative AI hype is "poisoning the well" and could ward off all use of traditional AI in the futureTake-Two's former AI boss, Luke Dicken, believes the excessive hype around generative AI is "poisoning the well" and could negatively impact the adoption of traditional AI in game development. He argues that the focus on generative AI overshadows the potential of other AI techniques and that the industry may abandon AI research altogether if the current bubble bursts.
What went wrong with Sega's $776m acquisition of Angry Birds giant Rovio?Sega Sammy's $776 million acquisition of Rovio has faced significant challenges, resulting in a $200 million impairment due to profitability falling below forecasts. Issues include difficulties integrating Rovio's technology and the mature state of the Angry Birds franchise in a rapidly changing mobile market with increased user acquisition costs and platform shifts. While Take-Two's acquisition of Zynga eventually proved successful, Sega's situation highlights the complexities and risks involved in acquiring mobile game companies, particularly when relying heavily on established IP.
The Sunday PapersThis article rounds up several gaming-related news items and discussions. It covers how Pokémon Go data might be used for military drone training, developers discussing the creation of discovery in games, concerns about generative AI's impact on the tech industry, and an oral history of the game Spore. Additionally, it touches on gamification and data collection in relation to word puzzles and a review of C. Thi Nguyen's book 'The Score'.
"My worry is that generative AI is poisoning the well" – Take-Two's former head of AI shares his concerns on the current hype cycleFormer Take-Two head of AI, Dr. Luke Dicken, expresses significant concerns about the current hype cycle surrounding generative AI in the gaming industry. He highlights ethical issues with data training, the potential for mediocrity in AI-generated content, and the lack of control over model behavior. Dicken worries that the current excesses of generative AI could poison the well for more traditional and beneficial AI applications in game development.
Jobs roundup: June 2026 | Bernard Kim joins Appcharge advisory boardSeveral key appointments and elections have occurred in the games industry. Bernard Kim has joined Appcharge's advisory board, Romain Dijoux is the new studio head at Netflix's Night School Studio, and the German Games Industry Association has elected a new executive board. Other notable moves include Sam Hilary at Team17, Charlotte Spurgeon and Celeste Valentine at Imprint Studios, and leadership changes at Side.- Game and Mod DevelopmentZynga founder Mark Pincus suggests game developers should be comfortable copying successful games, referencing the adage that 'good artists copy, great artists steal.' This perspective emphasizes iterative design and learning from existing titles in the industry.
FIFA Is Launching Its Own Video Game to Compete With EA and It’s a Netflix ExclusiveFIFA has partnered with Netflix to launch a new football simulation game in summer 2026, developed by Delphi Interactive. This title will be exclusively available to Netflix subscribers on mobile devices and select smart TVs, marking a departure from traditional console and PC releases. The move comes after FIFA's partnership with Electronic Arts ended, with EA rebranding its football series as EA Sports FC.
Take-Two expects to earn $8B in FY27 thanks to Grand Theft Auto VITake-Two Interactive anticipates earning between $8 billion and $8.2 billion in fiscal year 2027, largely driven by the November 2026 launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. The company reported record net bookings of $6.72 billion for fiscal year 2026, exceeding initial guidance, with strong performances from Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and mobile titles.
NBA 2K, Zynga and GTA drove Take-Two net bookings up 19% for 2026 fiscal yearTake-Two Interactive reported a 19% increase in net revenue and net bookings for its 2026 fiscal year, driven by titles like NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto. The company forecasts significant growth in fiscal year 2027, largely attributed to the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Mobile gaming continues to be a substantial part of Take-Two's business, accounting for approximately 50% of its net revenue.- Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) CEO Strauss Zelnick does not rule out future acquisitionsTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has not ruled out further acquisitions for the company, following recent purchases of Gearbox Software and Zynga. This suggests a continued strategy of portfolio expansion through strategic buyouts.
The big Strauss Zelnick interview: GTA, AI, Roblox and building the biggest entertainment company in the worldTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the company's strategy regarding Grand Theft Auto 6, artificial intelligence, and mobile gaming. He emphasized that technology enables human creativity rather than replacing jobs and highlighted Take-Two's goal to become the biggest entertainment company on Earth, leveraging its strong PC, console, and mobile presence.- Grayson Wendell Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of HonorProfessional programmer Grayson Wendell, a veteran of the game industry since 2007, will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026. Wendell has worked at companies like id Software, EA, and Activision on titles such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. He will also host a panel on N64 reverse engineering and randomizers at the event.
GTA 6 Company Boss Says AI Can Be Used For Evil, But "Woe Is Me" Risk Is OverblownTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes the 'woe is me' narrative surrounding AI's impact on employment is overblown, while acknowledging its potential for misuse. He suggests AI will primarily serve as a tool to enhance productivity and creativity in game development, allowing employees to focus on more engaging tasks rather than leading to mass layoffs. Zelnick cited Elon Musk's continued busy schedule despite extensive AI use as evidence that AI does not eliminate human jobs.
USC GAMES ANNOUNCES JOHN RICCITIELLO AND FRANK D. GIBEAU AS 10TH ANNIVERSARY EXPO KEYNOTE PANEL SPEAKERSUSC Games has announced that former Unity Technologies and Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, and Zynga President Frank D. Gibeau will be keynote speakers at its 10th anniversary USC Games Expo on May 12, 2026. The event will showcase over sixty student-developed games and feature interactive installations, an esports tournament, and previews of titles from a new Games as a Service and Live Operations class.
A new free-to-play Borderlands game gets surprise drop on mobile, which Zynga says is part of a 'limited-time…Zynga has surprise-launched a new free-to-play Borderlands game for iPhone in the US, developed by NaturalMotion. The company is calling Borderlands Mobile a 'limited-time test' and is working with Gearbox Software for creative guidance. The game is described as an action-packed looter shooter optimized for mobile.
A new free Borderlands game just quietly dropped on iPhoneA new free-to-play looter shooter, Borderlands Mobile, has been quietly released on iPhone by 2K and developed by Zynga. The game is currently an iPhone-only release in the US, requiring iOS 18 or later. 2K described it as a limited-time test by Zynga, with Gearbox offering creative guidance.
Razer’s new Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed earbuds rise above slow Bluetooth hasslesRazer has released the Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed wireless earbuds, designed to minimize audio latency for gamers. These earbuds utilize Razer's 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed Wireless technology for a stable, low-latency connection, with Bluetooth 6.0 as a backup. They are compatible with PC, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and smartphones, and feature improved active noise cancellation and THX Spatial Audio.
Borderlands Mobile Soft Launches on iOS, Developed by Zynga With Gearbox’s “Guidance”Zynga's NaturalMotion studio has soft-launched a Borderlands mobile game on iOS, with Gearbox Software providing creative guidance. The free-to-play title features optimized mobile gameplay and a similar loop to its PC and console counterparts. This move aligns with Take-Two Interactive's strategy to leverage Zynga's expertise in bringing core IPs to mobile platforms.
A new Borderlands game just launched out of nowhere, seemingly without Gearbox involved: Borderlands Mobile is set around Borderlands 3 and has raid bosses and faction warsBorderlands Mobile, a new entry in the series developed by Zynga, has surprise-launched on iOS and Android. The game is set around the events of Borderlands 3 and features a campaign, raid bosses, faction wars, and a battle pass. Gearbox Software's direct involvement is unclear, though they are mentioned on the App Store page.
A New Borderlands Game Just Launched Out Of Nowhere For MobileZynga, Take-Two's mobile division, has unexpectedly launched Borderlands Mobile on iOS without prior announcement from 2K or Gearbox. The free-to-play title features signature Borderlands elements like cel-shaded graphics and Claptrap, optimized for mobile with various modes and four unlockable classes. While currently in soft launch, the game is expected to monetize through microtransactions and includes systems for passive progression and in-game events.