A former Rockstar developer has weighed in on recent speculation about a potential GTA 4 re-release for modern consoles, suggesting the classic title deserves a full remaster treatment.
The rumors began when prominent GTA insider Tez2 suggested Rockstar might be preparing a current-gen port of GTA 4, possibly explaining why the company recently shut down a popular Liberty City mod for GTA 5.
However, it's important to note Rockstar hasn't confirmed any plans to revisit GTA 4, especially with the studio fully focused on developing GTA 6.
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Obbe Vermeij, Rockstar's former technical director (1995-2009), commented on the rumors via social media. While unaware of any actual plans, Vermeij - who worked on GTA 4 - stated emphatically: "It should be remastered."
"It's a great game and there have been many successful remasters lately," he added, possibly referencing acclaimed projects like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
In subsequent posts, Vermeij doubled down: "I'd love to see it get updated. In my opinion, Niko remains the best protagonist in GTA history."
The veteran developer speculated Rockstar might rebuild GTA 4 using their latest RAGE engine technology if they pursued a remaster.
Despite these intriguing possibilities, it's crucial to remember Rockstar hasn't hinted at any GTA 4 remaster plans. With GTA 6's massive development demands, diverting resources seems unlikely - even for a studio of Rockstar's scale.
The company could potentially outsource development, as with Red Dead Redemption's port. However, releasing a GTA 4 remaster near GTA 6's anticipated fall 2025 launch would risk splitting the player base's attention.
Some fans speculate Liberty City might appear in GTA 6 either at launch or through post-release content. The iconic New York-inspired setting previously featured in GTA 4 (2008) and Chinatown Wars (2009).
While we await official news, stay tuned for more GTA 6 coverage including our analysis of 70 exclusive screenshots and technical predictions for PS5 Pro performance.
