Rockstar Games began development on its upcoming open world action game, GTA VI, during the year 2018, as per a former developer.
In a new video on his YouTube channel, David O’Reilly, former 3D Environment Artist at Rockstar Games, revealed that development on GTA VI began in 2018. He mentioned that he began working on the upcoming open world action game in 2018 after the development of Red Dead Redemption 2 was wrapped up. He continued to work on the title until he left the company in 2023.
O’Reilly reflected on the dramatic changes and polish the game has received since his departure from the studio two years ago, and how the trailer showcases a vastly richer, more immersive version of the world he once helped shape. As someone whose work focused on landscapes and environment art, he was quick to highlight how far the game has come since his time seeing it primarily in “debug mode.”
He was particularly impressed by the lighting, the sheer environmental density, and the abundance of small, incidental details that give the world life, such as foliage swaying in the wind, populated streets, shimmering water, and even tiny elements like cones, birds, and trash bins. O’Reilly paid less attention to character animation and storytelling, noting that those areas aren’t his expertise, but he still appreciated both elements. His excitement mainly came from the possibility of exploring the sprawling world of Vice City, whether it be by strolling down the beaches, exploring the Keys, or skimming through the Everglades on airboats. He noted how the game’s water systems and wetlands suggested vast traversal opportunities and a strong thematic connection to Florida’s real-world geography.
O’Reilly found the new GTA VI trailer a joy to watch, not just for its spectacle, but because it reflected the culmination of years of labor by hundreds of talented developers.
