Zynga
Zynga business and news from across the web.
Take-Two Interactive reportedly lays off AI teamTake-Two Interactive has reportedly laid off its entire AI team, with former employees citing shifting management priorities. CEO Strauss Zelnick stated the company continues to embrace AI for efficiency but emphasized that generative AI has no role in the handcrafted development of Grand Theft Auto 6.
GTA 6 publisher lays off its entire AI team after seven yearsTake-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has reportedly laid off its entire internal AI team after seven years of development. Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick has been a vocal critic of AI in game development, stating it lacks creativity. This move comes despite the company's profitability and the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto 6 publisher Take-Two have seemingly laid off their head of AI and several of the department's staffersTake-Two Interactive, publisher of Grand Theft Auto, has reportedly laid off its head of AI, Luke Dicken, and several members of his department. Dicken confirmed his departure and that of his team on LinkedIn, noting their seven years of work on cutting-edge AI technology. This comes after CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed mixed views on generative AI's role in creating successful games.
Take-Two lays off AI teamTake-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has reportedly laid off its entire AI team, including its head of AI. This move comes despite a broader industry trend of studios investing in AI tools, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressing skepticism about AI's creative capabilities.
Nintendo Switch Triumphs: Star Fox and Mario Steal the ... | TAGSeveral gaming news outlets report on recent updates and releases. Star Fox titles are now available on Nintendo Switch Online, while Slay the Spire 2 enters early access. Bungie is buffing the Recon class in Marathon, and Marvel and DC are set for a Spider-Man/Superman crossover in 2026. Additionally, Take-Two has reportedly laid off members of its AI team.
Report: Take-Two lays off the head of AI and multiple team membersTake-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar Games and Zynga, has reportedly laid off its head of AI, Luke Dicken, and multiple team members. Dicken stated that shifting priorities from upper management impacted his team. The company has previously expressed interest in generative AI for efficiency and cost reduction, despite developer concerns.
Take-Two has seemingly laid off an unspecified portion of its AI team, including its Head of Artificial IntelligenceTake-Two Interactive has reportedly laid off its Head of Artificial Intelligence, Luke Dicken, and an unspecified portion of its AI team. This comes despite CEO Strauss Zelnick's recent statements about the company actively embracing generative AI and implementing numerous pilot programs across its studios.
Take-Two’s Head of AI Departs, Even Though Its CEO Was “Very Enthusiastic” About the TechnologyTake-Two Interactive's Head of Artificial Intelligence, Luke Dicken, and his team have departed the company, despite CEO Strauss Zelnick's stated enthusiasm for AI in game development. While Zelnick believes AI tools can drive efficiencies, he also maintains they cannot create great entertainment properties on their own. The departure comes as Take-Two continues development on Grand Theft Auto 6, which is reportedly being handcrafted by Rockstar North.
An Emmy-winning animation studio just bought the rights to multiple Roblox titlesBaobab Studios, an Emmy-winning animation company, has acquired the exclusive rights to popular Roblox titles Natural Disaster Survival, Barry’s Prison Run, and Deepwoken. The studio, co-founded by former Zynga VP Maureen Fan, plans to develop animated feature-length movies and television series based on these games, which have collectively garnered around 10 billion visits on the Roblox platform.- Diva Agency Launches New Creator And Community Division Dedicated To Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships And Community BuildingDiva Agency has launched a new Creator and Community engagement division to focus on fan engagement and influencer marketing for its entertainment clients. The new team, led by Charlotte Willis, aims to build authentic connections between brands and their audiences across online niches. This expansion follows a significant growth year for Diva's PR and Comms business.
Top 12 Most Expensive Video Game Buyouts Of All TimeThis article lists the top 12 most expensive video game buyouts, with Microsoft's $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard topping the list. Other major deals include EA's $55 billion sale to an investor consortium and Take-Two's $12.7 billion purchase of Zynga. The analysis highlights trends of industry consolidation and significant investment from entities like Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Turkish mobile developer Vento Games secures $4m in seed round fundingTurkish mobile game developer Vento Games, founded by former executives from Peak Games, Fungo, and Zynga, has secured $4 million in seed funding. The round was led by Makers Fund and Arcadia Gaming Partners and will be used to accelerate the growth of their portfolio of mobile puzzle games and create new titles. CEO Mustafa Dağlı stated the company focuses on creating innovative, family-friendly puzzle games that are mentally stimulating and spark joy.
Mobile studio Vento Games nets $4 million to expand puzzle portfolioTurkish mobile studio Vento Games has secured $4 million in a funding round co-led by Makers Fund and Arcadia Gaming Partners. The investment will be used to expand its portfolio of puzzle titles, including scaling its latest release Blossom Word Search and developing new games.