Grand Theft Auto VI May Remain the Most Expensive Entry in the Series, as AI Could Cut Costs for Future Installments
Grand Theft Auto VI is shaping up to be not only the most ambitious entry in Rockstar Games’ storied franchise but also the most expensive video game production to date. However, according to a former Rockstar developer, future titles—including Grand Theft Auto VII—might cost significantly less to produce, thanks to the growing integration of AI tools into game development.
AI Could Reshape the Cost of AAA Development
Speaking on the KIWI TALKS podcast, Obbe Vermeij, former Technical Director at Rockstar North, noted that while GTA VI will likely remain the pinnacle in terms of development scale and budget, future installments—particularly GTA VII—might not carry the same financial weight. Vermeij, who worked on classic titles like Vice City and San Andreas, predicts that AI-driven workflows will soon take over much of the labor-intensive work, such as map design and cutscene animation, which historically demand significant time and human resources.
“A lot of the development work is going to be taken over by AI,” Vermeij said, pointing to areas like environment generation and narrative structuring as key zones of automation in the future.
While this could streamline production, it also raises pressing concerns about the future of human labor in the gaming industry, especially for designers, animators, and writers who currently handle these creative aspects manually.
GTA VI’s Massive Scope and Delayed Release
Speculation about Grand Theft Auto VII comes at a time when GTA VI itself is still months away from release. Originally targeted for late 2025, Rockstar confirmed in May that the launch has been pushed back to May 2026, citing the need for additional development time to refine the game’s expansive world and systems.
Despite the delay, GTA VI continues to command overwhelming attention. The game is rumored to feature advanced open-world systems, dual protagonists, and even player-uploadable music content, which could revolutionize both game immersion and community participation.
AI’s Role: A Technological Leap or a Labor Risk?
The idea of AI-generated maps, scripts, and dialogue systems isn’t speculative—it’s already emerging in development pipelines across the industry. Tools like procedural generation and AI-assisted animation are being tested by studios to speed up workflows and reduce costs. If Vermeij’s prediction holds true, GTA VI may represent the last major installment developed under the traditional labor-intensive model, with GTA VII potentially entering a new era of AI-assisted production.
Still, this transition may come with growing pains. While cost savings are attractive for publishers, the creative and ethical implications of reducing human roles in game development continue to fuel debate. The prospect of fewer artists and writers involved in AAA games is seen by many as a grim forecast for the industry’s future workforce.
Do you think AI will reduce costs and reshape how blockbuster games like GTA are made? Or will it diminish the creative soul of the medium? Join the conversation below.
