It’s a habit that PC players have resigned themselves to: sometimes waiting more than a year after consoles to discover a new opus of Grand Theft Auto. However, this time, things could change. According to recent statements from the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, Strauss ZelnickGTA 6 could arrive on PC much faster than expected.
During an intervention in the show Squawk Box broadcast on CNBC, Zelnick spoke of a gradual shift of the market towards the PCa positioning that could encourage Rockstar Games to review its release plans. “I think that [l’industrie] is moving toward PC, and businesses are moving toward openness rather than closure,” he said.
A position which marks a break with past strategy. GTA 5 was released on PC almost 18 months after its console version. Red Dead Redemption 2 experienced a similar lag. This time, economic logic could push Take-Two to tighten deadlines.
An increasingly central platform in the publisher’s strategy
The PC represents a major revenue opportunitywith an ever-broader player base, more flexible infrastructures and the possibility of integrating experiences created by the community. Rockstar is well aware of this, but the publisher must also juggle the increased risks linked to this platform: unofficial mods, private servers, piracy, etc.
Despite this, management seems to want to accelerate. As Zelnick says, “the mobile, of course, you take it everywhere with you, it’s repeatable and it’s enjoyable.” He even specifies: “And I do think that, because it is aimed at a very broad audience, it will probably continue to grow more quickly.” If Take-Two opens up more to mobile gaming, optimizing PC revenue is a natural part of the plan.
A changing console war, and a better off PC
The PC port of GTA 6 would therefore no longer be a simple “late bonus”, but a strategic pillar in the global launch of the game, officially scheduled for console on November 19. While nothing has been confirmed about a simultaneous launch, Zelnick’s comments leave little room for doubt: Rockstar is looking to narrow the gap between the platforms.
In a context where the “console war” is changing face, the PC seems to be doing well. Take-Two has understood this, and fans now hope that this development will not only result in speeches… but in a PC release of GTA 6 in a much shorter time frame than in the past.