Anticipation for the sixth installment of Grand Theft Auto has been building for over a decade, but some fans are now expressing doubts about whether they’ll bother purchasing the game after a recent update left them underwhelmed.

The excitement reached a peak last December when Rockstar Games finally unveiled a trailer for the next generation of the iconic series. However, fans were taken aback on 4 December when the trailer was leaked a day early. Rockstar quickly responded on X, stating: “Our trailer has leaked so please watch the real thing on YouTube.”

GTA VI Disappointing Update

Despite the swift removal of the leaked video and the associated account, the incident caused quite a stir. The official trailer revealed that the game is set in the familiar Vice City and introduces a character named Lucia, who marks the first-ever female lead in GTA’s history. The new game certainly looks promising, but not everyone is convinced.

Former Rockstar Games Developer Speaks

A former Rockstar Games developer, Obbe Vermeij, who spent over 20 years with the company, offered a potentially disappointing perspective. Speaking to YouTuber SanInPlay, Vermeij said, “I don’t think it’s going to be wildly different from GTA 5. I think maybe people might be a little disappointed on the first day but it’s still going to be the best game out there. It’s going to be a good game for sure.”

Vermeij attributes part of this potential letdown to the lack of significant technological advancements in the gaming industry. He mentioned rumours about new technologies involving animation and AI but believes that a major breakthrough in these areas is overdue. “If anyone is gonna make that step, it’s gonna be Rockstar,” he added.

Despite Vermeij’s opinions being his own, they have resonated with some fans. One fan commented, “Might as well stick with GTA V.” Another said, “Course it won’t be, I feel GTA 6 will flop.” A third added, “Not a big shock. I imagine the gameplay loop will remain largely unchanged as it has for the last decade.”

Vermeij, who began his career at Rockstar North back when it was known as DMA Design, worked on titles such as Space Station Silicon Valley on the N64, GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 4. Although he was still with the company during the release of GTA 5, he did not contribute to that particular game. He insists he has no inside information about GTA 6.

Despite the mixed reactions, GTA 6 remains one of the most anticipated games in the industry, with a projected release in autumn 2025. Whether it will live up to the hype or not, only time will tell.

Watch the official trailer here: