Former GTA developer says GTA 6 will not release until Rockstar is '100% satisfied'. He then made a joke at the PC version, saying: '2027'

Obbe Vermeij, who was a key member of the DMA/Rockstar North teams responsible for the development of the early 3D Grand Theft Autos and the studio's technical manager until 2009, shortly after GTA 4, left the studio. Vermeij now works on his own projects including the chilled map-shaper, Plentiful. He has also recently started reminiscing and offering some insight into how GTA 6 will be handled.

Since the first GTA 6 video offered a loose release date of 2025, there have been rumors that this will be delayed. This is fair, as previous GTAs were delayed. However, Vermeij explains that these decisions can't be made until the release date.

Vermeij says that the decision to delay GTA 4 took place four months before its original release date. "Any further, and it becomes difficult to make a decision. Rockstar probably won't be able to tell if they will reach 2025 until around May.

Vermeij then went on to discuss the reasons behind GTA 4's delays. Vermeij says, "It wasn't ready." It would have been a mess. Delaying is almost never the right option, in my opinion." Vermeij, when asked for specific reasons, said that "there were many things that weren't finished." The PS3 version lacked speed, but a number of missions also needed more time. There were also a lot code bugs. As I recall, the art was completed on time."

GTA 6 will be bigger and more complicated than GTA 4. At least 17 years of technological advancement separate the two. There's no need to worry! Vermeij continues to say that, from Rockstar’s perspective, this is indeed the case.

Vermeij says that GTA 6 will be a huge seller for the next 10 years. There is no need to worry about competition. "They won't release the game until they are 100% satisfied with it." "No matter what the trailer said."

Bill_Nye, (I doubt it is the science guy), replies: "It doesn't matter if it comes out in 2025 or in 2026 because I own a PC."

Vermeij jokingly says, "2027 is for you." Well, fingers crossed that it's just a joke.

Vermeij's response is not surprising: "Take-Two has always let Rockstar make the decisions, and I don't see any reason to change this now."

Vermeij always makes sure to qualify his statements by pointing out that he left Rockstar many years ago and does not speak based on insider information or sources. He is a man of great experience and his opinions are hard to dispute. Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two for example, tells shareholders explicitly that "we are seeking perfection" and that it will be done when done. I can't think of another CEO in the games business who has said something similar to investors.

GTA 6 will be released in 2025. PC Gamer Towers has been thinking that the release date is 2026, no matter how long it takes. Please, no.