The massive leak of Grand Theft Auto 6 footage last year might have sent shockwaves through the gaming world, but according to a former Rockstar developer, it wasn't the big deal it was made out to be. Obbe Vermeij, who worked on GTA 3 and San Andreas, believes the leaks only gained significance due to Rockstar's notorious secrecy.
In a recent interview with San In Play, Vermeij admitted he hadn't paid much attention to the leak. He explained that leaks are often overblown, particularly when a company like Rockstar is known for its tight-lipped approach. "There are millions of people waiting for any news, and Rockstar just doesn't give them any," Vermeij said, noting the studio's reluctance to engage with the public.
Vermeij, who has spent recent years offering insights into the development of Rockstar's early titles, understands why studios like Rockstar maintain a policy of silence. "Whenever a big company says anything, whether it's Rockstar, EA or Ubisoft, it gets analyzed and often gets run negatively," he explained. "Their best bet is just to be quiet, and that's what they're doing. It's a shame it's gone that way, but it's not just their fault."
Despite Rockstar's claims that the leak cost them millions of dollars and thousands of hours of staff time, Vermeij suggests the hype around the leaked footage may have been exaggerated. While the official trailer for GTA 6 has offered a glimpse into the game, Vermeij believes it may not be as revolutionary as some fans hope. "My prediction is that GTA 6 won't be wildly different from GTA 5," he says, hinting at a possible let-down for those anticipating a complete overhaul of the franchise.
However, even with his less-than-optimistic predictions, Vermeij's perspective highlights a crucial point: Rockstar's secrecy fuels the excitement and speculation around their games. The anticipation for any news, even leaked footage, is amplified by the company's reluctance to offer official updates. Perhaps, the GTA 6 leaks were more a symptom of Rockstar's own strategy than a true indication of their significance.
