Take-Two Interactive

AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.
AppWizard
June 16, 2025
Preorders for Borderlands 4 have launched, with the base edition priced at £60/€70 on Steam, which is lower than expected. The Deluxe Edition is priced at £90/€100, and the Super Deluxe Edition at £120/€130. Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, encouraged fans to preorder due to the absence of a price increase. The Standard Edition is priced at £59.99, the Deluxe Edition includes additional content, and the Super Deluxe Edition offers the most extensive features. The pricing has received a positive reception from fans, although some gamers outside the US, UK, and EU find it high. The game quickly became a top-ten seller on Steam after preorders opened.
AppWizard
June 4, 2025
Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, has been closed by Zynga as part of a strategic realignment of resources. Established by Max Schaefer, Echtra was acquired by Zynga in 2021 and had been working on an unannounced cross-platform RPG. The closure ends development on future titles and raises concerns among employees, although Zynga has pledged to support them during the transition.
AppWizard
June 3, 2025
Zynga has announced the closure of Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, ending development on future titles and reducing roles at the studio. This decision is part of a broader realignment of the company's resources and priorities. Echtra was acquired by Zynga shortly after the release of Torchlight 3, which received mixed reviews. The closure follows the shutdown of NaturalMotion's Star Wars: Hunters and reflects a trend within the gaming industry of companies reassessing their portfolios. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive, Zynga's parent company, has faced a workforce reduction of approximately 5% and sold its Private Division publishing division. The share price of Take-Two fluctuated after the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for a May 26, 2026 release on consoles.
AppWizard
June 2, 2025
Polish developer People Can Fly has decided to scale down its teams after canceling two projects, Gemini and Bifrost. CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski announced the halt in development due to issues with their publishing partner for Gemini and funding problems for Bifrost. The studio has faced challenges in recent years, including the termination of a publishing deal with Take-Two Interactive in 2022 and two rounds of layoffs in 2024. Despite these setbacks, the studio announced a collaboration with The Coalition on Gears of War: E-Day, set for early 2025.
AppWizard
May 28, 2025
Roll7's skateboarding titles, Rollerdrome and OlliOlli World, returned to Steam four months after being removed in February, a move speculated to be linked to issues with Private Division, a Take-Two Interactive label. In November 2024, Take-Two confirmed the closure of Roll7 and Intercept Games, while Private Division was sold off, with neither game included in the sale, allowing them to become independent titles under a new publishing arrangement. OlliOlli World received an 87% review score, and Rollerdrome received a 94% score, both highlighting their quality and engaging gameplay.
AppWizard
May 17, 2025
Civilization 7 has received a divided response from players, with its Steam rating showing a near-even split. As of three months post-launch, only 48% of Steam reviewers rated the game positively, reflecting a modest increase of 4% since its release. The game ranks as the 8th best-selling game of 2025 in the United States, but its player count is significantly lower than previous entries, with approximately 9,537 concurrent players compared to 43,307 for Civilization 6 and 15,981 for Civilization 5. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, acknowledged the game's launch challenges and noted that varied opinions are common in the franchise's history. Robert Zak, a reviewer, highlighted the game's streamlined and accessible nature but mentioned that some players may miss the depth of earlier titles.
AppWizard
May 16, 2025
Take-Two Interactive reported a six percent increase in net bookings for the fiscal year ending March 2025, generating .65 billion, with 80 percent from recurrent consumer spending, which increased by seven percent. GAAP net revenue rose by five percent to .63 billion. CEO Strauss Zelnick projected net bookings for Fiscal 2026 to be between .9 billion and .0 billion and highlighted the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for May 26, 2026. Grand Theft Auto 5 has shipped 215 million copies, and recurrent consumer spending related to the franchise increased by five percent.
AppWizard
May 6, 2025
The trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been released, showcasing impressive graphics and attention to detail. The game is set for release in 2026 and is expected to be one of the most successful video games in history. Rockstar Games is in a strong position, with GTA Online generating significant revenue, allowing for a lengthy development period. Despite challenges in the gaming industry, including layoffs and the struggles of several studios, major projects like GTA 6 and others from prominent developers are underway. The development of Red Dead Redemption 2 faced issues related to crunch periods, but Rockstar has committed to improving working conditions.
AppWizard
May 2, 2025
Rockstar Games has announced that the release date for Grand Theft Auto VI has been shifted to May 26, 2026. The decision was communicated via a message on Twitter, where the studio expressed gratitude for fan interest and emphasized their commitment to exceeding expectations. CEO Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive supported the delay, highlighting the importance of allowing the development team time to realize their creative vision. The game was originally scheduled for a fall 2025 release, and the delay has been welcomed by other developers and publishers.
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