Rockstar’s Future with GTA: Insights from Former Technical Director
Obbe Vermeij, a former technical director at Rockstar, recently weighed in on the future of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series. He believes that a futuristic setting—like the one seen in GTA 2—is unlikely to return anytime soon. This comes in light of how the development team felt about that particular installment. Back when GTA 2 was made, it took a significant leap by introducing elements set in a far-off time: 2013—or maybe it was 1999. Rockstar’s own statements have created some confusion around this point. Regardless, players found themselves navigating Anywhere City while indulging in the usual mayhem—vehicular crimes, shootouts, and even wielding oddities like an electro gun.
In a conversation with GamesHub, Vermeij tackled the prospect of a future GTA game head-on. “No. The team who made GTA 2 hated it,” he stated bluntly. He elaborated, “I wasn’t involved in those titles, but my team was adjacent to the developers. I heard all the tensions and discussions, and they truly disliked the concept of diving into the future. It forced them to reinvent core aspects, including how weapons and gameplay mechanics functioned.”
Vermeij’s insights don’t solely rely on the developers’ initial experiences. He pointed out that players didn’t connect with GTA 2’s theme or setting as deeply as they did with GTA 1. “Setting a future GTA could be a significant misstep,” he warned. He highlighted that the franchise has transformed incredibly since its inception back in 1999, stressing its value and cultural impact. “It’s just too precious now,” he said, noting that while a futuristic setting might seem intriguing, it’s a gamble that Rockstar shouldn’t take.
“The cultural relevance today far outweighs what it was back then,” Vermeij continued. “GTA generates memes, ignites discussions, and garners millions of clicks and views. So, if you’re trying to craft a future narrative, you inherently lose some of that connection,” he added thoughtfully. Even if some memes—like the infamous Florida Man—have aged alongside the game, their significance would likely diminish if the series were set in a speculative future where trends are harder to foresee.
Interestingly, there was an idea for a GTA set in Tokyo that never came to fruition. According to Vermeij, it ultimately “fizzled out,” as “It doesn’t make sense to set it in some left-field location just for the sake of novelty.”
With GTA being such an iconic series, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely as Rockstar navigates the waters of future entries.