Ex-Rockstar Dev Backs GTA 4 Remaster, Calls Niko Top Hero

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Former Rockstar Dev Weighs In on GTA 4 Remaster Speculation

A former Rockstar technical director has commented on circulating rumors about a potential GTA 4 re-release for current-gen consoles, suggesting the game deserves a full remaster treatment.

The rumors originated from industry insider Tez2, a known source for reliable Rockstar leaks, who hinted at a possible modern port of GTA 4. This speculation gained traction after Rockstar recently took down a popular GTA 5 mod that recreated Liberty City.

However, it's crucial to note that Rockstar hasn't announced any plans regarding GTA 4, and such a release would be unexpected given the studio's intense focus on developing GTA 6.

Obbe Vermeij, Rockstar's former technical director from 1995-2009 who worked on GTA 4, responded to fan inquiries about the rumors. While unaware of any current projects, he expressed strong support for remastering the classic title: "GTA 4 absolutely deserves a remaster. It's an outstanding game, and we've seen great success with recent remasters," possibly referencing titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.

In follow-up comments, Vermeij praised GTA 4's protagonist: "Niko remains the strongest lead character in the entire GTA series in my opinion." He speculated that if Rockstar pursued a remaster, they would likely update the game using the newest version of their proprietary RAGE engine.

Industry analysts caution against reading too much into these rumors. Between Rockstar's enormous commitment to GTA 6's development and the unlikely prospect of releasing both GTA 4 and GTA 6 in the same timeframe (with GTA 6 currently slated for fall 2025), a remaster seems improbable unless handled by an external studio - similar to the approach taken with Red Dead Redemption's recent port.

Meanwhile, some fans speculate that Liberty City might appear in GTA 6, either at launch or as future downloadable content. The iconic New York-inspired setting previously featured in GTA 4 (2008) and its Chinatown Wars spinoff (2009), while GTA 6 will primarily focus on the Florida-inspired region of Leonida and Vice City.

For those eagerly awaiting GTA 6, numerous details have surfaced including analysis of over 70 recently released screenshots and expert predictions about how the game will perform on PS5 Pro hardware.