Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of GTA 6, announced in a new document that it is laying off around 5% of its workforce, or around 579 people, and canceling several projects. The news follows CEO Strauss Zelnick's statements that the publisher had "no plans" for layoffs as part of its cost-cutting program. In its statement, Take-Two said it was "eliminating several projects in development and streamlining its organizational structure," which includes layoffs. Take-Two expects total charges of between $160 million and $200 million, including $120 million to $140 million related to title cancellations. This is a strategy that has been under consideration since at least February. At the time, Zelnick said of the cost-cutting program: "We haven't made it happen yet. I would point out that our biggest expense is marketing. We think we can. We also have third-party spending, software, other suppliers, and sourcing services, And we always find opportunities in this area. The hardest thing to do is lay off colleagues, and we don't. "We have no plans to do so at this time." Take-Two previously claimed that it had finished "right-sizing" its business and expected to be in "growth mode" from now on, thanks in part to the anticipated release of GTA 6 in 2025. By Elsewhere, Take-Two recently purchased Gearbox from Embracer Group, confirming at the same time that a new Borderlands game is in development. In 2022, Take-Two completed a multibillion-dollar merger with Zynga. But at the end of 2023, Take-Two would have had difficulties with its mobile branch due to its "expensive and late" acquisition. Meanwhile, the gaming industry was hit by layoffs in 2024, which affected publishers such as EA, PlayStation, Xbox, and Riot. Take-Two says its cost-cutting strategy is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024. We are entering an age when more and more companies will continue to lay off their workers to cut expenses and avoid costs whenever possible. AI is taking jobs by the day as they mimic the results and don't have families to feed, meaning in the CEOs' eyes all around the world, they can create more profit in less time with fewer resources. For now, it is not a major problem, but as you know, tech advances faster and faster each day by the second. I think in two years, this AI trope will become the norm, as even if the CEO wants to make it right and doesn't fire anyone, their opponents will have the tools to make content faster and consistent, not better, as AI, for maybe four to five years, will still be inferior to talented workers and developers. But that is all just speculation on my part, as I cannot possibly tell you what will happen in the future. Maybe a rule will be applied regarding AI usage to regulate the new work era. Anyway, I wish nothing but the best to those developers. May they find new work and keep doing what they love.