The hype surrounding the forthcoming Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 has reached a fever pitch, with speculation and anticipation building at an unprecedented level. Despite any lingering hopes for a drastically innovative title akin to GTA 5’s leap forward in terms of technical prowess, a seasoned Rockstar developer advises tempering expectations with a dose of realism.
During a candid interview with YouTube channel SanInPlay, former Rockstar technical director Obbe Vermeij, who spent 14 years with the company from 1995 to 2009, shared his thoughts on the anticipated next installment in the franchise. Rockstar may be facing a significant challenge in developing a major step forward for GTA 6, prompting him to share intriguing insights on why he believes this could be the case, particularly compared to earlier titles in the series.
“When asked if the new game would be significantly different from GTA V, Vermeij responded, ‘Not wildly completely different.’ Having worked on GTAs 3 to 4 before leaving Rockstar in 2009, he acknowledged that some players might be initially disappointed. However, he believes it will still be one of the best games available.”
Rockstar’s task of progressing beyond Michael, Franklin, and Trevor’s narratives in GTA 6 may have been hindered by the pressures of building upon previous success, with Vermeij suggesting that the developer would need to overcome significant hurdles to make a meaningful impact with the new game. As previous momentum dwindles, making similar strides proves increasingly challenging due to the knowledge transfer’s sluggish pace. The gap between PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 was immense, whereas the disparity between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 is relatively modest, rendering the need to dramatically innovate and elevate features less pressing.
“I’m uncertain whether they succeeded or not; maybe it’s incredible, but I think some people’s expectations might be unrealistically high,” the developer noted. “The leap from GTA 2 to GTA 3 was massive, and the jump from San Andreas to GTA 4 was enormous.” I don’t assume we’ll ever witness such a spectacle again.
Vermeij acknowledged a few technical aspects showcased in the game’s first trailer, which excited him: The scene on the beach, where every character is engaged in distinct activities, stands out, he said, “Each character has its own unique animation.” “I’m struck by its impressive visuals,” which garnered widespread acclaim from developers, including praise from former Rockstar animator Mike York, who responded similarly shortly after the trailer’s release.
Rockstar’s efforts to capture the essence of Florida man were warmly received by him, who gave a thumbs up, noting: “I think the Miami man theme, where people just do silly stuff, and the alligators, and sitting on cars, and everything – I think that fits GTA very well.”
Vermeij’s views on GTA 6’s potential to revolutionize the franchise are intriguingly underscored by Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick’s recent assertion that Rockstar is endeavoring to craft “an experience that no one has ever witnessed” with the game, a statement that further underscores Vermeij’s notion that the title may make a monumental leap for the collection.
