Mike York knows what it's like when ambition collides with reality at Rockstar Games. The former animator who worked on both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 just shared some eye-opening details about how adding first-person mode to GTA V almost derailed the entire project and why he thinks GTA 6's latest delay makes perfect sense.

York explained in his latest YouTube video that what seemed like a straightforward camera adjustment turned into a development nightmare.

"So, for instance, on GTA 5, we went in and we added first person mode. And I remember we added first person mode really late into the project, like the game was like almost finished. And so, it seemed like such a small thing adding that view mode in the game, but when we did that, it opened up thousands, literally thousands of bugs."

The problem wasn't as simple as sticking a camera inside the character's head. York, who currently works on a game with both first- and third-person perspectives, explained that first-person view requires completely different animation work.

"The head has a lot of movement, and when you put that kind of movement on the screen, it's very jarring, and it's visually really, really, really bad."

The team had to create thousands of new animations. Every weapon reload, every action, and every interaction needed a first-person version. Vehicle interiors that looked fine from the outside suddenly needed high-resolution details. Models that were never meant to be scrutinized up close now filled the screen. The entire production pipeline had to accommodate a perspective the game wasn't originally built for.

Despite that chaotic late addition, GTA V is now one of the most successful video games ever made, selling over 200 million copies and remaining culturally relevant more than a decade after its 2013 release. The first-person mode, introduced with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in 2014, became a defining feature that added depth and replayability.

Now, as GTA 6 faces yet another delay, pushed from its expected May 2026 release to November 2026, York thinks Rockstar is likely dealing with similar challenges, but on a much larger scale.

"There's so many things going on in an open-world game. This is not like playing a linear experience like The Last of Us or whatever. There's much less bugs in a game like that."

He suspects the studio may have implemented new systems late in development, possibly improved climbing mechanics, better combat systems, or advanced facial animation technology similar to Unreal Engine's MetaHuman.

"If they don't have that stuff nailed down yet, then they're going to delay the game because they know people really, really want that stuff."

Everyone knows the pressure on Rockstar is immense. The graphics need to be better than anything else on the market. The mechanics need to justify a decade of development and multiple delays. York compared Rockstar to Pixar - when they release something, audiences expect perfection.

"Usually, the company has bit off more than they can chew. And they don't want to say that, but they bit off more than they can chew."

He believes Rockstar is looking at GTA 6 and realizing it's not ready for the "big leagues" yet. Not ready to meet the astronomical expectations of 50 million potential players. However, York believes November 2026 is actually a smart choice.

"It's right before Christmas. It's right where the hype is of everyone having enough time to buy the game in order for you to ship out enough copies to all these stores to get everything. It's the perfect sweet spot to release a game."

His advice to fans is simple:

"We've already waited this long. Let's wait a little bit longer."

He doesn't expect another delay after this, and he's betting on Rockstar to deliver, as we all are. After all, Rockstar hasn't really disappointed yet, and as such, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.