Take-Two CEO Predicts Call of Duty Will Temporarily Boost Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions Amidst Major Restructuring

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.bizTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick shared his thoughts on the impact of subscription services like Xbox Game pass. He recognized that the inclusion of important titles such as Call of Duty in Game Pass could increase user subscriptions, albeit for a short period of time. Even so, Zelnick pointed out that Take-Two remains hesitant to release new AAA games on these platforms immediately after launch, citing economic concerns and the model finances that may be unstable.

Take-Two’s latest financial results show modest growth in the first quarter, but the company is experiencing a relatively quiet year. Major properties like GTA Online and NBA 2K didn’t see growth in the previous years, although success in mobile games, especially with titles like Match Factory and Toon Blast, made up for it. In response to these market conditions, Take-Two has implemented several cost-saving measures, including layoffs and other cuts worth approximately $165 million annually.

One area heavily affected by these measures is private sector Take-Two, which focuses on smaller, independent titles. This led to layoffs and closed studios like Roll7 and Intercept Games. However, Zelnick said the company continues to support select independent publications, focusing on titles with the greatest potential for success.

As for the future, Grand theft auto 6 will be the flagship release for Take-Two, scheduled for late 2025. Although there are concerns about the exclusive availability of these new generation consoles, Zelnick remains optimistic, pointing to strong sales of Take-Two’s extensive catalog Two of the older titles. Zelnick pointed out that while some important titles have long development cycles, other projects, especially in the mobile sector, can reach the market more quickly.

Take-Two has an ambitious release schedule, including 15 games, a standalone game, five mobile releases and three remakes in the coming years. Despite the industry’s recent struggles, Zelnick was confident of future growth, highlighting the company’s ability to achieve significant success and outperform the market. .

The full interview with Strauss Zelnick can be found at GamesIndustry.bizwhich provides more information about Take-Two’s strategies and vision.