Rockstar Games has set the stage for what could very well be the game of the decade with GTA 6. The legendary studio is taking its open-world gaming formula to new heights, focusing on creating a city so alive that it feels as though it’s a character in its own right, responding to every player action in real-time.
Inside Scoop from a Former Rockstar Animator
Mike York, a former animator at Rockstar, worked on some of the studio’s most iconic titles, including Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online. In December 2023, following the release of the GTA 6 trailer, York shared his insights on the upcoming game, stating that playing it would feel “like stepping into a living city.” He also hinted at some technical aspects, revealing that the game wouldn’t run at 60 FPS initially, and players would have to wait for a PC version to experience that level of performance. His comments were shared in an interview with Kiwi Talkz, which has since been mysteriously removed.
A New Kind of Open World
In the interview, York made an interesting comparison between GTA 6‘s open world and the approach taken by CD Projekt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. According to York, the design of GTA 6‘s world is fundamentally different—unpredictable and brimming with potential surprises. While The Witcher immerses players in a fantastical universe, GTA 6 is set in Vice City, a vibrant replica of Miami, which means the city must respond to player actions as if it were a real human city.
This will make the world of GTA 6 feel incredibly dynamic—packed with life, from chaotic heists to personal storylines, such as Lucia’s journey through the penal system. The NPCs are more interactive than ever, even engaging in quirky behavior like getting drunk and causing a ruckus. From the trailer alone, it’s clear that Rockstar is creating a world where every corner of the city holds a new encounter, making it feel like a true, breathing place.
Rockstar’s Ambitious Challenge
For Rockstar, the challenge is clear: build an open world this rich and complex while keeping the game bug-free. A massive undertaking, considering the vastness of the game world and the intricacies involved in making it all function seamlessly. York revealed that when he worked at Rockstar, testing for games like GTA 5 involved intense, long hours of playtesting—8 to 10 hours a day—to ensure everything was running smoothly.
Moreover, Rockstar has never been shy about investing heavily in its projects. If Red Dead Redemption 2 had a budget north of 800 million dollars, GTA 6 is rumored to have an even more staggering budget, potentially reaching up to 1 to 2 billion dollars. It’s clear that Rockstar is not just aiming for a good game—they’re aiming for an unprecedented level of detail and immersion.
As the release of GTA 6 draws closer, all eyes will be on how Rockstar tackles the challenge of creating this living city. Given the studio’s track record, fans are right to expect nothing short of perfection, but one thing is for certain: when GTA 6 drops, it will revolutionize the way we think about open-world gaming.
