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Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick isn’t too concerned about piracy ahead of GTA 6 even if he is ‘worried about everything all the time’
Take-Two Interactive chief executive Strauss Zelnick says he is not especially concerned about piracy ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6, though he expects it to remain an issue for the games industry. He says the company would respond with legal and technical measures if piracy became a serious problem.
Zelnick compared piracy across entertainment sectors, estimating it once affected 10–20% of the film market and, by the mid-2000s, around 80% of the record market. He said large game files and reliance on company servers make piracy more complicated, but not impossible. Take-Two has also pursued legal action over GTA 6 leaks, including obtaining a court-approved subpoena for Discord user information.
In short
- Zelnick expects piracy to persist but is not especially concerned about GTA 6.
- Take-Two would use legal and technical measures if needed.
- Online server requirements may limit the appeal of pirated copies.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Take-Two has reason not to treat piracy as an overriding threat: large games can be harder to copy and distribute, and online features often depend on company servers. Preparing legal and technical responses while avoiding disproportionate restrictions could help protect the game’s investment without disrupting legitimate players.
The case against
A major release such as GTA 6 could still attract extensive piracy, and Zelnick’s own comparisons suggest copying has caused substantial losses in other entertainment industries. Waiting until piracy becomes a serious problem may leave the company reacting after leaks or unauthorised copies have spread; stronger preventive measures could protect creators and the game’s commercial value.