Is Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick warming to social, mobile games?

Alongside Activision, Take-Two is one of the big PC/console publishers that isn't very interested in social or mobile gaming.

Indeed, in June, its CEO Strauss Zelnick pointed out that even at $9.99 - the price point of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for iPhone - the business just isn't economically meaningful for the company.

Still, according to its recent earnings call, which saw it post Q1 revenues down 11 percent to $334 million, that view is apparently being reconsidered.

Alongside diversifying its console franchises, Zelnick said Take-Two is keeping a close eye on the emerging online mobile platforms.

The only way is up

However, having only released a handful of ports such as Civilization Revolution, Sid Meier's Pirates! and GTA for iOS and Sid Meier's Civilization World on Facebook, it has a steep learning curve to climb.

As for social games, "The business Zynga's in has only been around for about four years," he said.

"And playing Zynga titles doesn't scratch the same itch as playing Grand Theft Auto - that's a dynamic that doesn't change in the video game business."

[source: Gamasutra]