Nearly 23 years in the past, Rockstar Video games launched Grand Theft Auto 3. The sequence was recognized by that time for its top-down 2D crime capers and chaos, however this was one other beast completely. That includes a totally 3D open world to discover, a third-person perspective so gamers might expertise all the pieces on the road, a correct storyline with high-profile actors, and far more, it prompted a stir within the trade. It wasn’t the primary open-world recreation ever made, but it surely supplied maybe probably the most polished mixture of tropes seen all through varied video games.
In fact, the remaining is historical past, with follow-ups like Vice Metropolis, San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto 4 and Grand Theft Auto 5 happening to develop into progressively larger hits. Grand Theft Auto 6 is now on the horizon, launching in Fall 2025, and the official trailer reveal alone has over 202 million views.
Such is the anticipation that it’s anticipated to uplift your entire trade. Talking to GamesIndustry.biz in March, Circana analyst Matt Piscatella mentioned the sequel would spark “renewed curiosity” for video games, including, “There’s most likely by no means been a extra essential factor to ever launch within the trade, so no strain.”
It appears a given for the follow-up to one of the crucial profitable titles ever – in spite of everything, Grand Theft Auto 5 has shipped over 200 million models and is at present the second best-selling recreation in historical past. Nonetheless, what if Grand Theft Auto 6 isn’t that a lot of a leap over its predecessor? What if it doesn’t find yourself being “wildly completely different”?
Former Rockstar technical director Obbe Vermeij thinks which may be the case. In a latest interview with SanInPlay, he admitted that the reveal trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 regarded “fairly wonderful.” One second that caught out was on the seashore, showcasing a number of characters with distinctive animations, simply doing their very own factor. There was additionally reward for the Miami vibe, which Vermeij believes fits GTA fairly properly.
Nonetheless, he doesn’t imagine will probably be “wildly completely different from Grand Theft Auto 5” and that “possibly individuals is likely to be somewhat disenchanted.” Granted, he nonetheless thinks will probably be the “greatest recreation on the market.”
Some background on Vermeij’s expertise – he was closely concerned in programming for the franchise from Grand Theft Auto 3 to Grand Theft Auto 4, even receiving a nomination on the Recreation Builders Selection Awards in 2005 for Recreation Design alongside a number of different workforce members. One of many key causes he feels that Grand Theft Auto 6 gained’t be that completely different from GTA 5 comes right down to expertise, significantly the dearth of any important jumps between the console generations.
“The expertise is shifting a lot slower…just like the distinction between the PS1 and PS2 was monumental, and PS4 and PS5 will not be that large. You don’t actually have that expertise bounce to make issues completely different and higher. So yeah, I believe GTA 6 won’t be wildly completely different from GTA 5.”
In fact, when questioned if that lack of great distinction might result in disappointment, he replied, “I don’t know, possibly they pulled it off. Perhaps it’s wonderful, however I believe some individuals would possibly…their expectations is likely to be somewhat too excessive. As a result of you possibly can by no means have that bounce. The bounce from GTA 2 to GTA 3 was large, and from San Andreas to GTA 4 was very large. I don’t assume we are able to ever see a bounce like that once more.”
Vermeij isn’t incorrect – the present console technology has confronted in depth criticism for its lack of great graphical and gameplay leaps alongside the continued existence of cross-gen titles. There are arguments about how stunted their beginnings had been, given world occasions on the time of launch. Nonetheless, a number of years later, the variety of developments in conventional style formulation has felt considerably insufficient.
Grand Theft Auto 6 additionally has its improvement hang-ups if rumors are to be believed. In 2020, Jason Schreier reported that the title could be “reasonably sized” in comparison with Grand Theft Auto 5 and Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2. Granted, it’s nonetheless fairly large by Rockstar’s requirements, however the purpose is to develop the sport with post-launch updates.
Insider-Gaming’s Tom Henderson echoed comparable statements in 2021 in regards to the map rising over time whereas reporting a number of protagonists and Vice Metropolis as a setting. Later that 12 months, Rockstar Journal reported that improvement had allegedly been rebooted in 2020, with a number of gameplay and narrative parts seeing modifications in 2019. In December 2021, improvement was cited as chaotic, with some points famous as being disappointing for a number of individuals.
Additional reviews in 2022 indicated that GTA 6 was meant to be set in “giant sections” of North and South America, providing three cities with 4 protagonists. It might finally come right down to the trendy Vice Metropolis and two protagonists. As soon as once more, rumors indicated that the event workforce would add missions and even cities post-launch. Although Take-Two Interactive allegedly deliberate to announce the sport in 2020, the supposed reboot prompted a change of plans. The pandemic, alongside slicing again on time beyond regulation and bettering general situations, additionally reportedly contributed to longer-than-expected improvement.
All these causes alone might end result within the developer taking part in it protected in a number of points. A report from October 2023 courtesy of Rockstar Journal outlined potential options like sensible sunsets and sunrises, a real-time climate system with sensible wind that “batters vegetation” and real-time bodily simulated water for browsing. That’s on high of all of the graphical enhancements, but it surely additionally famous that the driving was just like Grand Theft Auto 5.
Some could really feel that it’s higher to stay to what works, whereas others could marvel how the title may very well be in improvement for thus lengthy with out making important developments to the driving. It is going to in the end rely upon the participant how a lot of a dealbreaker it’s (if that’s really the case, after all).
On the finish of the day, it comes right down to the participant. Even when Grand Theft Auto 6 iterates on earlier methods with out revolutionizing them, is that basically so unhealthy? If it delivers a memorable expertise with well-written characters, enjoyable open-world actions, unbelievable environments, nice consideration to element, and a compelling narrative, wouldn’t it actually be disappointing?
It’s laborious to say as a result of the sheer viewers of those titles is as huge because the vary of expectations. Some love strolling across the cities and observing NPCs, capturing in depth photos of locales and evaluating them to their real-life inspirations. There are devoted communities for the city legends and myths (the Mount Chiliad Thriller being one instance).
Then you’ve gotten those that put within the hours, slowly clearing the story and by no means touching the elective content material however nonetheless having a good time. Would an absence of game-changing options hassle any of the above when it’s the precise content material and the world seen by way of GTA’s patented model of insanity that they’re after? In fact, there’s additionally the GTA On-line viewers, which can have a very completely different set of expectations (if the sequel even options a web-based element).
At this level, it’s laborious to say, however Take-Two Interactive noting that the workforce is “looking for perfection”, and that the title will solely launch as soon as it’s “optimized creatively” seemingly signifies a imaginative and prescient for Grand Theft Auto 6. We’ll have to attend and see if it’s one to subscribe to. Nonetheless, its launch is monumental, particularly in a 12 months with many different heavy hitters. Even when you’re not on the hype prepare, all eyes are on Rockstar to ship, whether or not it’s pushing boundaries and rewriting the style’s guidelines or sticking to what it does greatest.
Word: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially characterize the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a corporation.
