A number of video game critics and analysts are debunking speculations claiming that New York-based game developer Rockstar Games is having second thoughts about developing “Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6” because it is wary of the multi-million budget it may incur in the process.
Rumors have been swirling as of late claiming that Rockstar Games is getting worried that the development of “GTA 6” may likely overshoot the $265 million incurred by the developer in the creating “GTA 5” on course to its release to the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One, and the PC in October 2013.
But analysts said that Rockstar Games actually netted $800 million just 24 hours after the release of “GTA 5” on the gaming consoles and the PC so the company may have already made billions already by this time for the game.
With updates and DLCs that came the way of the game in its over three years of existence, Rockstar Games has certainly earned more from “GTA 5” so the $265 million worth of investment was well worth it.
There are speculations saying that “GTA 6” would already come out in the gaming consoles already featuring virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) support, notes Game & Guide.
These new technologies would certainly increase the development budget of “GTA 6.” But given the success of “GTA 5,” the amount would surely be peanuts for Rockstar Games, opine video game critics and analysts.
A pushed back release date
From a consistently rumored release date of 2018 until a few months ago, most of the latest rumors on the release date of the game is now 2020 because of the VR support feature of the game.
According to latest reports, the incorporation of the new VR feature would surely slow down the game’s development, cites Jobs & Hire.
However, critics believe that the reason why there would be a delay is because Rockstar Games would do everything in its power to ensure that “GTA 6” comes out bigger and better than “GTA 5.”
With the commercial success and wide acclaim of “GTA 5,” the pressure is definitely on the American game developer to guarantee that the massively open world game featuring complex scenarios and interactive cities will give gamers a worthwhile gaming spectacle and experience.
There are also reports saying that Rockstar Games shall be able to start work on the full development of “GTA 6” once it fully completes and releases on the gaming consoles next year the open world Western action-adventure video game “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Inaccurate rumors on the game
There have been rumors and reports going around online saying that Leslie Benzies has recently confirmed that “GTA 6” is now in development.
Many keen critics and observers find the rumors odd considering the fact that Benzies, the former President of Rockstar North, a subsidiary of Rockstar Games already announced in January this year that he left the company.
For sure, Benzies can no longer speak for Rockstar nor any of its games under development including the highly-anticipated “GTA 6″ having left the company for good.
Almost one year after Rockstar released on the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4, and the PC the very successful “GTA 5” in October 2013, Leslie Benzies took a sabbatical leave from the company beginning on September 1, 2014.
In January this year, Rockstar announced that Benzies has already left the company. On April 12, 2016, Benzies sued Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, claiming $150 million in unpaid royalties.
Thus, the report published recently by a number of internet news sites saying that Benzies has somewhat confirmed that Rockstar has started in the earlier stages of the development is “GTA 6” is way off the mark, critics note.