GTA 6: Former Rockstar Dev Predicts AI-Driven Animation Revolution

A veteran of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Obbe Vermeij, has sparked debate about the future of animation in video games, predicting a shift towards AI and physics-driven techniques.

Vermeij, who served as technical director at Rockstar North from 1995 to 2009, recently shared his insights on the highly anticipated GTA 6 during an interview with YouTuber SanInPlay. While remaining tight-lipped on specifics about the upcoming game, he offered his thoughts on the recent leaks and Rockstar's marketing strategy.

“The leaks are not as important as people think,” he stated, attributing the frenzy to a combination of intense fan anticipation and Rockstar’s deliberate silence. “There's millions of people waiting for any news, and Rockstar doesn't give them any news.”

Vermeij explained that he understands why major game publishers like Rockstar choose to remain silent before a game launch, citing the potential for negative spin on any information released. “Whenever a big company says anything… it gets analyzed and it often gets spun negatively,” he said, adding that remaining quiet is often their best course of action.

He expressed regret over the industry's reluctance to engage with fans more openly, acknowledging that it's not solely the fault of developers. “It's also the fault of the public. Everybody's attacking the big companies all the time, so they're just better off being quiet.”

Despite his silence on GTA 6 specifics, Vermeij did offer his interpretation of a scene from the recently released trailer, highlighting the intricate animation in a beach scene. “Everybody seems to be doing something else. Every character has its own animation. I think it looks pretty amazing.”

He went on to speculate that the impressive animation may not be entirely hand-crafted. “I've heard some rumours of [GTA 6 using] pretty new technology having to do with animation and AI and all that stuff.”

Vermeij believes that a significant shift is on the horizon for the gaming industry. "I think it's time for a revolution where animation is maybe not hand animated anymore, but it would be more AI-driven and physics-driven,” he said, adding that while GTA 4 already incorporated some of these elements, “if anyone is going to make that step it's going to be Rockstar."

Despite his anticipation for these advancements, Vermeij doesn't expect GTA 6 to be a radical departure from its predecessor. "It's still going to be the best game out there,” he stated, but warned that “people might be a little disappointed” if there aren't significant innovations.

While the wait for GTA 6 continues, Vermeij's insights offer a glimpse into the future of video game development, suggesting a potential shift towards more AI-driven animation. Whether this will be implemented in GTA 6 remains to be seen, but it's a development worth watching for fans of the franchise and the broader gaming industry alike.