It’s not just about saving money: a former developer thinks AI will dramatically speed up the creation of massive open worlds.
While everyone's focus is on Grand Theft Auto 6, former Rockstar Games developer Obbe Vermeij is already looking ahead to the future, making a rather bold prediction about the game's eventual successor.
According to the video game veteran who spent 14 years as a technical director at Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto 7 will actually cost less to produce compared to GTA 6 even if it's likely going to be an even bigger and more ambitious game.
The reason? AI. Vermeij believes artificial intelligence will fundamentally change how games are made over the next decade.
Each new Grand Theft Auto game has traditionally been more expensive than the last, with GTA 6 rumored to carry a staggering $2 billion price tag. That would make it the most expensive video game ever created, surpassing even the biggest Hollywood blockbusters in terms of production costs.
It only makes sense for the next GTA title after GTA 6, which may not come out at all based on previous rumors, to cost much more than the upcoming sixthquel, right? However, we can't just discount what Vermeij thinks. He previously worked on titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto 4.
During an appearance on the KIWI TALKZ podcast, Vermeij explained that he envisions a future where AI handles much of the heavy lifting that currently requires massive teams of artists and animators. The technology could generate initial versions of cutscenes, render characters, and even create basic dialogue, allowing human developers to focus on the creative refinements responsible for bringing a game to life.
This shift isn't just about saving money. It could also mean shorter development cycles, allowing players to get their hands on new GTA games without the decade-long waits that have become standard for the franchise.
The gap between Grand Theft Auto V and GTA 6 will be nearly 13 years by the time the new game launches, a timeline that has tested even the most patient fans' limits.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged that the company has been using digital tools since the beginning, though he maintains that human creativity remains at the heart of their games.
Other major studios are also exploring AI integration, with companies like Nvidia showcasing AI-powered NPCs that could revolutionize how game worlds are populated.
However, these changes raise important questions. While Vermeij suggests AI will help games get made faster rather than necessarily replacing human workers, the reality is that automation typically leads to workforce reductions in most industries.
For Rockstar specifically, integrating AI presents both opportunities and challenges. Maintaining the level of quality that it has become known for while leveraging AI is crucial. Of course, this future is still far out.
As much as the AI industry likes to say otherwise, Vermeij has a point when he said that we'll have to wait about 15 years to find out if he's right. If he is correct, GTA 6 might represent the last of the old-school, mega-budget game products, marking the end of an era before AI transforms the video game industry forever.
Speaking of transformations, we won't have to wait for years to know how much impact GTA 6 has already had right now. Its delay to May 26, 2026 is expected to have a negative effect on video game sales, even affecting PS5 sales this holiday season.
