PortalMadura.com-Rockstar Games chose a different path amidst the wave of adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gaming industry. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick explicitly emphasized that Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) was developed 100% manually without involving generative AI in the creative process.
This statement was conveyed by Zelnick in an exclusive interview with GameIndustry.biz, Thursday (13/2/2026). He emphasized Rockstar’s commitment to a “handcrafted” approach to every element in the game, from the design of buildings, roads, to details of the virtual environment that will be the setting for GTA 6.
“Specifically regarding GTA 6, generative AI plays absolutely no role in what Rockstar Games is building,” stressed Zelnick. “Every corner of the game world was designed from the ground up by our creative team.”
This decision reflects Rockstar’s long-term design philosophy of rejecting procedural systems—automated methods commonly used by other studios to quickly produce game content. For Rockstar, complete control over every detail is key to their reputation for creating immersive open worlds full of surprises.
Interestingly, Zelnick does not reject AI technology as a whole. He revealed that Take-Two has carried out hundreds of AI pilot projects in various company divisions, including for operational efficiency and development of certain workflows. However, for large-scale creative projects like GTA 6, he still doubts AI’s ability to replace the human touch.
“AI has not been able to create entertainment properties with the depth and complexity that we want,” he explained. “Human creativity remains irreplaceable for games of this class.”
GTA 6 itself has been in development since 2014 and is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026 exclusively for the latest generation consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. This game became one of the most anticipated releases in the history of the gaming industry, with high expectations for narrative innovation and a virtual world that was more lively than its predecessor.
Rockstar’s decision to reject generative AI comes amid an industry trend that is increasingly aggressive in adopting the technology for various aspects of production—from creating visual assets to processing character dialogue. However, with Rockstar’s reputation built on artistic detail and provocative narratives, this manual approach actually becomes a selling point for fans who value the authenticity of the work.
date:2026-02-13 19:36:00