Recently, gamers revisited an interview with Strauss Zelnick, in which he stated that he does not play video games and believes it would be a mistake for a CEO to be a consumer of their own products.

According to Zelnick, his responsibility is managing the company, not taking part in the creative process. He emphasized that he does not interfere with Rockstar Games’ development, focusing instead on attracting and motivating top talent so the team can work uninterrupted.

Fan Reactions

Despite the rationale, fans have expressed disappointment and criticism. Many believe that a CEO of a major game publisher should at least experience their flagship titles firsthand, especially one as anticipated as GTA 6.

Some comments online highlight the disconnect between management and the player community, suggesting that firsthand experience could provide valuable insight into the product.

Others, however, acknowledge Zelnick’s point, noting that creative freedom for Rockstar is critical to maintaining the high quality of GTA 6.