If you happen to’ve ever wished to battle a video games business CEO, now you may. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick is now a playable character in WWE 2K26, which means you may both play as him or battle him your self. There hasn’t been any sort of official acknowledgement of his inclusion; he was merely quietly added in a brand new replace in the present day. The 68-year-old gaming govt holds an in-game score of 77, which means he is most likely not going to say any titles himself, however Zelnick is reportedly very match in actual life.
The CEO claims he works out 10 to 12 instances every week (that is a mean of virtually twice a day, for many who aren’t mathmaticians) and runs his personal non-public exercise membership referred to as The Program. He is even written his personal wellness guide, Changing into Ageless: The 4 Secrets and techniques To Wanting and Feeling Youthful Than Ever. All of that is to say he is fairly jacked, although he is virtually 70, and will most likely fare higher in a WWE ring than the typical individual.
Why did Zelnick get added into WWE 2K26? It is anybody’s guess. He himself has admitted he is not even a gamer, so it feels unlikely to be as a result of he desires to play as himself. He looks as if an honest sport, although, as he beforehand promoted the franchise’s customized character creator with a silly video. Nevertheless, that is the primary time he is been added as an official character. He even sports activities his personal unique entrance music in WWE 2K26, which is My Approach by Frank Sinatra. The music was licensed seemingly only for Zelnick, as it might’t be used for every other character in the sport.
Take-Two Interactive owns Rockstar Video games, 2K, and numerous different main studios, so Zelnick has overseen among the largest video games of all-time. He’s greatest recognized for being the one respected supply of details about GTA 6 exterior of Rockstar Video games itself. The hype for GTA 6 has led to many tuning into investor calls and listening to business-heavy interviews simply so followers can hear Zelnick drop just a few breadcrumbs right here and there.
Zelnick additionally not too long ago emphasised the chance to develop the WWE 2K franchise, noting that it may “double or triple” the scale that it’s now.
“I do assume there’s ongoing alternatives to enhance the standard of the sport,” he stated. “I do assume that we can provide shoppers extra of what they need. And I do know our group at Visible Ideas at all times desires to do higher. We’re by no means in the enterprise of patting ourselves on the again. We imagine that conceitedness is the enemy of continued success. And I feel that title may very well be double or triple the scale that it’s so long as we delight shoppers, and so long as we give them one thing new and never anticipated that is in line with the model that they love. That is our job.”
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s information group. He covers all issues leisure, together with gaming, movie, and extra. Yow will discover him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.