Back in 2021, Take-Two released Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition to widespread critic and fan backlash. The remastered collection still suffers from numerous technical problems and lacks the original licensed music from the initial releases.
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The unpolished and clearly unfinished Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition collection was acknowledged by Zelnick in a recent interview with Jim Cramer of CNBC, but not in a way fans would have liked to hear. Zelnick claimed in the interview that the collection launched with a “glitch” and quickly claims the issues have since been resolved, essentially dismissing the ongoing calls for change from many fans. Those who have been pointing out the ongoing problems with the remasters are upset, with so many of them flooding Zelnick’s social media pages that he locked his Twitter account. No matter how out of touch his comment may have been, however, a harassment wave is a completely inappropriate response.
Considering the context, Zelnick’s comment was most likely intentionally light and de-emphasized the most disappointing elements of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy. As the CEO of a major corporation, it is incredibly unlikely that he would not have at least some idea of the reaction to the collection’s numerous problems. Still, even if the statement makes slightly more sense in context since he would have wanted to avoid upsetting Take-Two’s shareholders, it does not change the fact that downplaying the problems is dismissive of a fanbase that is frustrated with the lack of respect given to the games. Zelnick succeeding in reading the room for the interview meant failing to read the room for the fans.
In addition to simply being out of touch, Zelnick’s comment could also be taken as a microcosm for the company’s approach to gaming as a whole recently; despite the trilogy launching in a broken state it is still somewhat popular simply because it has become the only way to purchase and play the games on modern systems legally. Prior to the launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, the original versions of the games included were removed from online storefronts, leaving buyers no other legal choice to play the games except buying a physical disc for an older console. The original versions were later re-released on PC in response to the issues, but the initial removal still sets a dangerous precedent for future remasters.
Following such a massive harassment wave, it becomes especially important to highlight the difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism. Leaving mean comments on Zelnick’s social media presence will only cause animosity to grow between him and the company’s fans, while the method of “speaking with your wallet” has historically proven much more effective anyway. Buying a company’s products is a choice, not an obligation, and if there is anything a company will listen to it is a dip in profits.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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