Take-Two Interactive has shed light on its approach to subscription services, countering the common view that its support for platforms like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus is limited. Although the company may disagree with the term “limited,” it does not expect many of its games to join these subscription services in the near future, given the vastness of its content library.
The effect of Xbox Game Pass and similar services on the industry has sparked significant debate ever since their introduction in the 2010s. While smaller companies readily incorporate their titles into these catalogs, larger publishers proceed with caution, often preferring to adopt their own subscription models. Take-Two, which began offering games for GTA+ members, finds itself straddling both strategies.
Take-Two’s View on Subscription Services
Karl Slatoff, the President of Take-Two Interactive, stated in an analyst call that the company is not wholly dismissive of subscription services, provided that these arrangements are financially viable. “We do include our titles on subscription services from time to time,” Slatoff noted, asserting that the financial implications must align favorably for such decisions to be made. “We wouldn’t do it unless it was a beneficial economic agreement.”
One of these beneficial agreements recently occurred when Grand Theft Auto 5 rejoined Xbox Game Pass for the fourth time in six years in April 2025. Slatoff emphasized that Take-Two is not alone in its cautious approach, suggesting that neither Sony nor Microsoft would invest in a plethora of third-party titles unless it served their interests as well.
Take-Two’s Stance on Launch Day Releases
Moreover, Take-Two has firmly maintained its opposition to launching games on subscription platforms at their debut. This has been a consistent perspective dating back to the early 2020s when analysts began questioning the company on this matter. Comments from Slatoff reveal that while subscription services can indeed enhance engagement, they do not significantly contribute to successes like that of the NBA 2K franchise on PlayStation Plus.
In summary, while Take-Two is open to integrating its titles into subscription models like PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, it does so only when the economic rationale supports it.
