Former Rockstar North Director Opines on GTA 6 Release Date Speculation

Obbe Vermeij, a pivotal figure in the development of early 3D Grand Theft Auto titles, has recently shared his thoughts on the potential release timeline of Grand Theft Auto 6. Vermeij served as the technical director at Rockstar North until 2009, shortly after the release of GTA 4, and while he is no longer an insider, his experience offers a valuable perspective. Currently pursuing his own projects, Vermeij often reflects on his tenure at Rockstar.

Following Rockstar’s announcement of a tentative 2025 release for GTA 6, speculation has emerged concerning potential delays. Vermeij pointed out that such release date decisions are typically made closer to the launch window, citing the delay of GTA 4 as an example. “The decision to delay GTA 4 was made about four months before the original release date,” he mentioned. According to Vermeij, Rockstar will likely assess the feasibility of the 2025 release by mid-2025.

Vermeij noted that the delay of GTA 4 was due to various readiness issues, stating, “It really wasn’t ready yet. It would have been a mess.” The technical challenges included the lagging PS3 version and incomplete missions, while most of the artwork was completed on schedule. With GTA 6 being a project of far greater complexity, attributed to technological advances over the past 17 years, Vermeij reassures that Rockstar will release the game only when it meets their stringent standards.

Commenting on Rockstar’s decision-making process, Vermeij highlighted the autonomy the company has under the oversight of Take-Two Interactive. “Take-Two let Rockstar make their own decisions and I don’t think there is any reason to change that now,” he stated, further echoing CEO Strauss Zelnick’s stance that the game will be released “when it’s done.”

Despite no longer working at Rockstar, Vermeij’s insights carry weight due to his extensive experience. As anticipation builds for GTA 6, discussions around its release date continue, with some fans expressing concern over a possible push to later dates, such as 2027. However, for now, the expected premiere is set for 2025 according to Rockstar’s latest timelines, although many await further official updates.