While GTA 6 dominates headlines for its 2026 release, a storm brews over its successor. Obbe Vermeij, former Rockstar technical director (GTA 3 to Chinatown Wars), predicts GTA 7 will be “cheaper to make” due to AI advancements—a claim that’s ignited fierce debate about automation’s threat to game developers.
Vermeij’s AI Vision
In an interview with Kiwi Talkz, Vermeij outlined how AI could reshape development:
- Cutscene Automation: AI renders scenes and generates dialogue from text descriptions.
- Replacing “Boring Work”: Repetitive tasks (e.g., asset placement, basic animations) handled by AI.
- Preserving Creativity: Artists/writers would still set style and story—AI handles execution.
“The bulk of the work is going to be replaced. It’s already happening to programmers.” – Obbe Vermeij
Why This Sparks Fear
Vermeij’s optimism clashes with industry realities:
- Mass Layoffs: 2023-2025 saw 20,000+ gaming jobs cut; AI could accelerate this.
- Creative Erosion: Fans worry AI-generated content lacks human nuance (Cyberpunk 2077’s emotional depth vs. AI Dungeon’s randomness).
- Ethical Dilemma: Should publishers prioritize cost-cutting over talent?
As one developer tweeted: “AI won’t make better games—it’ll make cheaper ones, with humans paying the price.”
The Silver Lining?
Vermeij insists AI won’t replace creativity:
- Artists define visual styles.
- Writers craft narratives.
- Designers innovate mechanics.
“Computers can’t replicate love or care in art.”
Gamers React: Hope vs. Dread
Fans are divided:
- Pessimists: “This is how we get soulless, algorithm-driven games.”
- Optimists: “AI could free devs to focus on groundbreaking ideas.”
- Realists: “If GTA 7 uses AI well, it’s inevitable—but the human touch must remain.”
Also, Read
- GTA 6’s Original Christmas 2025 Release Would’ve Been “Magical,” Fans Mourn
- GTA 6 Loading Times – Why Fans Should Temper Expectations
- GTA 6 Trailer 2 Smashes GTA 5’s Record With 123M+ Views
The Bigger Picture
GTA 7 is likely 15+ years away, but this debate reflects today’s industry crossroads. As tools like Unity Muse and Unreal Engine AI evolve, the question isn’t if AI integrates—but how.