Take-Two CEO Optimistic About Nintendo Switch 2

With the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 just around the corner, the gaming industry is abuzz with discussions about pricing, tariffs, and game key cards. Amidst this, one third-party publisher, Take-Two Interactive, stands out with its optimistic outlook on the new console.

In a recent Q&A session with investors following the company's full-year earnings report, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expressed "great optimism" regarding the Nintendo Switch 2. He highlighted that the company plans to launch four titles on the platform, marking a significant increase in their engagement with Nintendo's new system compared to previous launches. The titles include Civilization 7, set for a launch day release on June 5, the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series (with specific games and release dates yet to be announced), and Borderlands 4, slated for September 12.

Zelnick noted that historically, third-party publishers have faced challenges in the Nintendo ecosystem. However, he praised Nintendo's improved support for third-party developers this time around. He stated, "We're launching four titles with Nintendo Switch 2, and that's I think a bigger array of releases than we've ever offered before with a new Nintendo platform. Historically, being a third party in the Nintendo business has been a bit challenging. I think Nintendo has been very forthcoming in addressing that. And we're stepping up too, because we have great optimism for the platform."

While Take-Two Interactive is bringing familiar franchises to the Nintendo Switch 2, Zelnick's comments suggest potential for future releases, possibly including titles from their extensive back catalog. Although a game like GTA 6 might not be on the cards, there's a glimmer of hope for classics like GTA V to eventually make their way to the platform.

In a pre-call discussion with Zelnick about the company's quarterly performance, he also touched on the development timeline for GTA 6 and addressed the recent delay of the game to next year, providing further insight into Take-Two Interactive's strategic plans.