- Take-Two Interactive laid off Luke Dicken, head of its AI division, along with an undisclosed number of staff members.
- Dicken’s team had been developing AI tools to support game development, including procedural content generation and machine learning applications.
- The layoffs come as Take-Two approaches the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated games in industry history.
- Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has previously stated that generative AI “will not reduce employment, it will increase employment.”
What Happened
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games, has laid off Luke Dicken, the head of its AI division, along with several staff members from his team. Dicken confirmed the layoffs in a LinkedIn post spotted by Game Developer, writing: “It’s truly disappointing that I have to share with you that my time with T2 — and that of my team — has come to an end.” The layoffs were reported by Engadget on April 3, 2026. Take-Two declined to comment when asked to confirm the layoffs.
Why It Matters
The layoffs stand in contrast to public statements from Take-Two leadership about AI’s role in the company. CEO Strauss Zelnick has said that Take-Two “actively embraced” generative AI tools to “drive efficiencies” and “reduce costs.” In prior remarks, Zelnick framed AI as beneficial for employment, arguing that “technology always increases productivity, which in turn increases GDP, which in turn increases employment.”
The timing is notable because Take-Two is approaching the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is expected to be one of the highest-grossing game launches in history. The game’s anticipated commercial success would presumably give Take-Two considerable financial flexibility to invest in new technologies, including AI research for game development.
Technical Details
Dicken’s LinkedIn post indicates his team was “developing cutting edge technology to support game development.” He specifically mentioned seeking roles for staff with expertise in “procedural content for games” and “machine learning,” suggesting the division’s work spanned both traditional game development AI techniques and more recent machine learning approaches.
Procedural content generation has a long history in game development, used to create environments, levels, and assets algorithmically rather than through manual design. Machine learning applications in gaming have expanded in recent years to include NPC behavior, testing automation, and content generation. The exact scope of Dicken’s team’s work and which projects may have been affected by the layoffs remains unclear, as Take-Two has not provided details.
Like other major game publishers, Take-Two has been exploring how generative AI can be integrated into production workflows. The broader gaming industry has seen a mix of AI adoption and workforce reductions throughout 2025 and into 2026, with companies often citing efficiency gains from AI tools while simultaneously reducing headcount.
Who’s Affected
The immediate impact falls on Luke Dicken and the members of his team who were laid off. The total number of affected employees has not been disclosed. Game developers and AI researchers working at the intersection of machine learning and interactive entertainment may view the layoffs as a signal about how major publishers are prioritizing — or deprioritizing — internal AI research divisions.
Take-Two’s portfolio includes Rockstar Games (Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption), 2K Games (NBA 2K, Civilization), and Zynga. Any AI tools developed by Dicken’s team that were being used across these studios could see reduced support or development going forward.
The gaming industry has seen significant workforce reductions since 2023, with major publishers including Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Sony all conducting substantial layoffs. Take-Two itself has reduced headcount in previous rounds, making these AI division cuts part of a broader industry pattern. However, the specific targeting of an AI team — a function that companies have publicly championed as critical to future competitiveness — distinguishes these layoffs from general cost-cutting measures.
What’s Next
Take-Two has not indicated whether it plans to restructure its AI efforts under a different team or leadership. The company’s near-term focus appears to be on the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. Dicken has indicated on LinkedIn that he is actively helping his former team members find new positions in the industry, specifically seeking roles for staff with backgrounds in procedural content generation, machine learning engineering, and game AI research.
