During an interview with CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box,’ Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, made it clear that while gaming consoles are not going away, the gaming industry is shifting its focus towards PCs. In his comments, Zelnick suggested that the transition is not about the demise of consoles but rather an industry-wide movement toward open platforms, which PCs represent. He emphasized that the gaming business is moving away from the closed systems typically associated with consoles and toward a more open system, which is the case with PCs. This transition, he noted, is not a sudden shift but a gradual development that is expected to be fully realized over the next decade.
Zelnick also highlighted that while console gaming remains a significant part of the market, it’s not immune to the changing trends. He pointed out that the current market split between console and mobile gaming is roughly even, but mobile is growing at a faster pace than console gaming. This growth in mobile gaming has led to a shift in consumer behavior and expectations, which is prompting developers to consider new ways of delivering their content. Zelnick’s comments provide insight into the future of the gaming industry, suggesting that while consoles will remain relevant, the focus and resources of the industry are moving toward PC gaming. This shift may have important implications for the companies involved, as it could lead to changes in investment, development, and distribution strategies.