While Grand Theft Auto V continues to dominate and be re-released for the nth time, a growing number of Grand Theft Auto fans are asking Rockstar Games for one thing: re-release Grand Theft Auto 4 with a fresh coat of paint.
Although a remake is definitely out of the question, updated graphics are definitely on the table, and one modder took it upon themselves to give fans what they want.
A modder known as xoxor4d has created an RTX Remix modification that adds path tracing to the PC version of the 2008 title.
Screenshots shared by ResetEra user gabdeg showcase just how dramatic the improvement is, and according to the tester, even these images don't fully capture how much better the game looks in motion.
The mod accomplishes this visual leap using only the game’s original assets, potentially avoiding a takedown by Take-Two Interactive. There are no new textures, no updated character models, and no enhanced materials. The entire transformation is possible because real-time path tracing completely overhauls how light behaves in-game.
Path tracing is an advanced form of ray tracing that uses sophisticated algorithms to calculate how light bounces around environments. While traditional graphics rendering, called rasterization, figures out lighting from a single point, path tracing takes a more comprehensive approach that mirrors how light actually works in the real world.
The result? Liberty City suddenly comes alive with realistic lighting and detailed shadows. The city's atmosphere becomes more immersive and believable in ways the original graphics could never achieve.
This is particularly significant for a game that some fans have struggled to revisit precisely because of its dated visuals. While the story, characters, and gameplay of GTA IV hold up remarkably well, it’s unavailable to play and enjoy with modern graphics on consoles outside of the Xbox.
Right now, the mod is only available to supporters of xoxor4d's Patreon at the Chocolate Strawberry Advocate Tester tier, which requires a monthly subscription of ten dollars or more. A public release is planned, though the exact timing remains uncertain.
Earlier reports indicated that remasters of both GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption were once on the table but were cancelled, possibly due to the poor reception of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Definitive Edition. However, Red Dead Redemption did ultimately receive a remastered release, so the same could eventually happen for GTA IV.
Until then, this modification offers fans the opportunity for players with the hardware to enjoy the game’s storytelling, memorable characters, and detailed world-building with modern graphics technology.
