Grand Theft Auto VI is set to become the most expensive game in the series, a title it will likely retain even as the franchise moves forward. A former Rockstar Games employee, Obbe Vermeij, who contributed to legendary entries like Vice City and San Andreas, shared insights on the future of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
Speaking on the KIWI TALKS show, Vermeij discussed how the development costs for future games could be significantly reduced, especially with the increasing use of AI in game creation. With AI handling complex tasks such as map design and cutscene creation, manual labor will be less required, meaning Grand Theft Auto VII might cost considerably less to develop than its predecessor.
Despite this prediction, it’s important to remember that Grand Theft Auto VII is still many years away, so the full impact of AI on development remains uncertain. Vermeij’s speculation may not come to fruition anytime soon. After all, Grand Theft Auto VI is still several years from release, with its official launch now confirmed for May 26, 2026, after a delay from its original 2025 date. The excitement surrounding GTA VI continues to build, with rumors about groundbreaking features like the possibility for artists to upload their music directly into the game.
As for the seventh installment, talk about GTA VII seems premature with so much still unknown about the upcoming sixth entry. However, with the rapidly evolving role of AI in game development, it’s not hard to imagine that future games in the series may become cheaper and faster to create, though many fans remain skeptical about what that means for gameplay quality. With each new development, one thing is clear: the world of Grand Theft Auto is evolving, and how AI fits into that future will be one of the major factors shaping its legacy.
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