Rockstar Games co-founder has high expectations for Grand Theft Auto 6

This time around, Rockstar is aiming at trying to outdo the state of Florida. The game's fictional state of Leonida, which encompasses Vice City (and beyond), is set to be the largest and most dynamic environment in the series.

Rockstar's track record of releasing generation-defining titles adds credence to Houser's expectations for GTA 6. Every single installment, especially from GTA 3 onwards, has consistently raised the bar in the open-world genre. The investor interest and financial backing for GTA 6 further support the belief that the game will be a landmark release for gaming as a whole. Many industry analysts predict that GTA 6 could be a "billion-dollar game," reflecting the enormous revenue expectations and the pressure for the game to succeed commercially.

However, beyond financial success, the anticipation for GTA 6 lies in its potential to offer a groundbreaking single-player experience. The level of detail and scale showcased in the trailer suggests a game that is not only technologically advanced but also rich in narrative depth. There are expectations that Rockstar will enhance the realism and dynamics of NPCs, although concerns remain about the traditional combat and non-driving controls that have been criticized in past titles.

Comparatively, Rockstar's success is staggering. For instance, Mass Effect 3, Bioware's most successful game, and what many consider is the finale entry in one of the best video game trilogies ever, sold fewer copies than one of Rockstar's lesser-known titles, Liberty City Stories. Moreover, all Bioware games released since 1996 have collectively sold fewer copies than GTA V alone, which has exceeded 190 million sales.

Thus, when it comes to expectations and blowing past them, comparing Rockstar and GTA to any other company and their best game is like comparing apples to oranges - it just doesn't work.

Ultimately, GTA 6 is representative of Rockstar Games' ongoing commitment to elevate open-world gaming. The high expectations set by Sam Houser and Strauss Zelnick, coupled with the studio's proven track record, suggest that GTA 6 could indeed redefine the genre and set new benchmarks for storytelling and immersion in video games.

As 2025 (April Fools', anyone?) approaches, the entire world waits to see if GTA VI lives up to its monumental promise.