Despite recent reports of sluggish hardware sales for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, one of the industry’s most influential players remains optimistic about the future of the ninth console generation. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes that the Gen9 consoles have significant growth potential, particularly with the upcoming release of highly anticipated titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. This perspective aligns with recent data from Sony, which indicated that PS4 users still make up half of its active console base.
However, Zelnick also points out that this doesn’t necessarily translate to increased earnings per user. He cites the underperformance of NBA 2K games on PS4 as evidence that gamers may still be using older consoles but not necessarily generating higher revenue. This suggests that the future success of the Gen9 consoles depends heavily on attracting new players and maximizing the potential of their existing user base.
Take-Two Interactive is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of the Gen9 market. The company has a robust pipeline of new games, including the highly anticipated GTA 6, a new BioShock title, and a number of unannounced console-based projects. These releases, along with its annualized sports titles, are expected to drive significant console sales and increase engagement among existing players.
While the current market may indicate a slowdown in hardware sales, industry leaders like Take-Two Interactive remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The upcoming release of major game titles, coupled with Take-Two’s strong development pipeline, suggests that the ninth console generation is far from reaching its full potential.
