Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games (GTA 6 developers), has revealed its strategic focus on developing new intellectual properties (IPs) alongside its established franchises.
Take-Two's Strategic Shift Towards New IPs
Diversification Beyond Legacy Franchises
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed investor concerns regarding reliance on established IPs like Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption (RDR) during the company's Q2 2025 investor call. While acknowledging the success of these legacy titles, Zelnick emphasized the inherent risk of over-reliance. He highlighted the concept of "decay and entropy," stating that even highly successful franchises eventually see a decline in player engagement. He warned against "burning the furniture to heat the house," advocating for the creation of new IPs to ensure long-term growth and avoid stagnation.
Zelnick confirmed that while sequels are lower-risk ventures, the company's future success hinges on innovation and the development of fresh IPs.
He explicitly stated that continued reliance on established franchises would be a risky strategy.
Strategic Release Scheduling for Major Titles
Regarding the release of existing IPs, Zelnick confirmed to Variety that Take-Two plans to strategically space out major game launches, avoiding unnecessary overlap. While GTA 6 is anticipated for Fall 2025, its release will be distinct from Borderlands 4, slated for Spring 2025/2026.
Judas: A New IP for 2025
Take-Two's subsidiary, Ghost Story Games, is preparing to launch "Judas," a narrative-driven, first-person shooter RPG, sometime in 2025. This new IP promises a unique player experience where choices significantly impact the story and character relationships, as stated by creator Ken Levine.
