Since last year, the rumors and speculations about the possible release date of “Grand Theft Auto 6” have been very consistent that it is going to happen in 2018.
Although there are reports which seem to be playing it safe and put the release date timeline of the sixth iteration of arguably the most popular open-world action adventure video game “GTA” anytime between 2018 to 2020.
However, after reports came out last week that Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies decided to leave the game development company for good, it is expected to have an impact on the release date of “GTA 6.”
Although a top executive of the game development company, Benzies is very hands-on in the development of “GTA” games. He was, in fact, the lead developer of the iconic game series and one of the most regarded influencers of “GTA” video games, notes the Christian Post.
Benzies went on a 17-month sabbatical from the company since September 2014 and only made his decision that he will not be coming back to Rockstar this month.
While the company is not saying that Benzie’s resignation would have an impact on the development and release date of “GTA 6,” those who know how Rockstar works on its games, particularly on its popular “GTA” franchise, know that it would really have a repercussion.
Set to usher 4K gaming
Amid the departure of Leslie Benzies, there is also an interesting rumor going around the internet these days that the release of “GTA 6” may be timed by Rockstar immediately after the release of the next-generation gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft – the PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Two, respectively.
According to reports, it has been the tradition of both gaming companies to release an updated version of their gaming consoles every seven years. Both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One were released in 2013 so it is likely that their next-generation gaming consoles would come out sometime in 2020, notes the Gospel Herald.
With that being said, it is possible that Rockstar may focus instead on developing the “GTA 6” to cater more for the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Two and released it after 2020.
One of the most interesting rumored features of the next-generation gaming consoles from both Sony and Microsoft is that those two platforms would already be available to offer 4K gaming by then. And gamers would certainly enjoy it right at the comforts of their living rooms. It is also expected that 4K resolution would be the standards by then not only in gaming but also in video recording and streaming on TV and most modern gadgets.
However all these remain as speculations until Rockstar makes the official confirmation, which seems unlikely to be done by the game development company, so everything should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Coming out ahead of the next-generation gaming consoles
However, there are also reports that “GTA 6” may actually come out ahead of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Two release dates.
It could be noted that when “GTA 5” was released in October 2013, it first came out on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. It was only one year later when Rockstar decided on releasing the “GTA 5” on the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Then some six months later, it finally came out in the PC.
For those who believe on the 2018 release date for “GTA 6,” some critics are saying that five years in game development is considered an eternity especially for a permanent franchise like the “GTA.” They believe that Rockstar Games cannot afford to be passive as the earlier that the game comes out, the better it would be for the franchise.
However, Rockstar is also the type of game developer that does not want to rush things for the sake of coming up with a game. It always puts a premium on quality because it wants to maintain its reputation as one of the better companies when it comes to game development.