Zelnick on Evolve DLC: ‘Controversy, generally, is a good thing’

Take-Two chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick has downplayed any suggestion that the criticism of Evolve’s DLC has damaged the title’s commercial prospects.

You’re right, there was some controversy start-up by an online post,” he told Benchmark Company’s Mike Hickey in an investor earnings call transcribed by Seeking Alpha. And I guess, controversy, generally speaking, is a good thing.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the man behind the publisher of Grand Theft Auto should recognise the commercial opportunity controversy can offer, but Zelnick too remained bullish about the game’s quality.

People can argue about the business model. I think we’re delivering a fantastic title that’s well versed with consumers who will pay for it. And all signs are extraordinarily positive,” he added.

I never like to claim success before it’s occurred. This looks to be a good news event. I’m going to leave it at that. Hopefully, in our next call, we’ll have great news to report. But certainly the title won Best of Show at both E3 and Gamescom that’s never been done as far as we know in the same year and the buzz is massive.

So we’ll wait till consumers tell us what they think. And all our body parts are crossed around here.”

Evolve came in for criticism last month over accusations that it was locking a large amount of sometimes very powerful content behind paywalls.