Take-Two Interactive Seeking to Make 8 ‘New Iterations’ of Classics Following Positive Earnings

Ryan Epps, Tech Times 17 May 2022, 03:05 pm

On the heels of its positive and expectation-beating earnings report, Take-Two Interactive secures even more goodwill in both its investors and fans via an in-depth powerpoint that goes over the publisher's future plans for fiscal year 2022 and well beyond. Of major note is its earmarking of a total of eight "new iterations of previously released titles" that will comprise of both "ports and remasters," all of which are slated for release between the fiscal years of 2023 to 2025.

The company also noted plans of debuting 24 "immersive core" games in addition to seven "mid-core" games. By mid-core, Take-Two defines the term as "an arcade title," citing WWE Battlegrounds as one example, as well as "games that have many hours of gameplay, but not to the same extent as an immersive core title." One forthcoming mid-core title it notes is Tales From the Borderlands, set to debut in FY 2023.

Take-Two's chart highlights 20 forthcoming mobile experiences, the main among them being the mobile release of the unilaterally disliked Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition likewise in 2023. The firm's most recent purchase of Zynga proved to be a smart investment as developers look toward the future of the mobile platform in delivering engaging experiences via a smaller form factor. According to its earnings report, the acquisition is set to officially close by May 23.

The company also jots down a total of 10 independent games, yet gives no specific title or release date for said entry, only a definition claiming the category as "externally developed Private Division releases." Back in mid-March, it was announced that Private Division picked up four new developers, adding weight to its future portfolio, yet there is no telling what specifically could be on the horizon for the team. The company did announce on Tuesday, May 17, that it's hiring. Thus, a need to expand proves it's got some hits up its sleeve.

Take-Two's earnings report proved to be stellar in some aspects, the main among them being Rockstar software sales and the seemingly unexpected hype of Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, which was cited "as the best new franchise launch from 2K in several years." The behemoth that is Grand Theft Auto 5 also jumped in lifetime sales to 165 million worldwide units, while Red Dead Redemption 2 snagged a new lifetime total of 44 million, marking it as the second best-selling title in the US over the past five years.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is now the 2nd best-selling title in US in past 5 years.

Congrats @RockstarGames! pic.twitter.com/roZEAscLtW
— Ben (@videotechuk_) May 16, 2022

As for the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick voiced some words about the project in a podcast aired on May 3. When asked about the forthcoming GTA sequel, Zelnick said, "Sure, I mean, Rockstar said that there is another version coming. So, stay tuned." Although the executive gave very little in the form of tangible information, it's clear the game is real and alleviates fears from both fans and investors keen on the next open-world title.

As for the eight reiterations, it's unclear what those games could be. Take-Two has already published several remakes and remasters over the past two years, like the aforementioned GTA: Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, as well as BioShock: The Collection. On the horizon, fans can certainly expect Remedy's remakes of both Max Payne and Max Payne 2, but beyond that, it's speculation.

Two pretty massive ones that fans have long been begging for are Grand Theft Auto 4 and the original Red Dead Redemption. Not to stick mainly on Rockstar IP, but even a Bully remake for modern consoles, or just the Switch, would do well for fan appreciation. There are also both Borderlands 3 and Mafia III, both timeless classics in their own rights that could be reworked for either the Switch or modern consoles.

Given consistent references to GTA's The Definitive Edition on the Switch as one of the largest contributors to both net bookings and GAAP net revenue, as well as it having "significantly exceeded expectations" with 10 million in sales, despite the outcry in poor reviews, there is no chance that Take-Two will leave behind the Switch in future reiteration releases. In fact, the company would do well to provide the Switch with even more software to bolster sales long-term, aided by annual releases like NBA 2K and Borderlands offshoots.