- A GTA 4 remaster has been rumored for a while, but an ex-Rockstar developer suggests this type of remaster is easier said than done.
- He argues that the game’s art and cutscenes appear outdated, and a remaster would be expensive in today’s market.
- The developer believes Rockstar should still re-release the game, but it must be done right.
GTA 4 is the next big Rockstar title rumored to receive the remaster treatment following Red Dead Redemption. The former is currently not playable on the PS4 or PS5, and the PC port isn’t too impressive either, making it perfect for a re-release.
However, a full remaster for GTA 4 might be easier said than done. According to a developer who previously worked on the game, this endeavor could cost Rockstar as much as the original game.
Why it matters: GTA 4’s atmosphere and overall themes remain some of the series’ strongest to date. This is exactly why many fans yearn to return to Liberty City all these years later.
Obbe Vermeij recently took to Twitter and shared his thoughts on a potential GTA 4 remaster. Discussing how the game has aged, the developer stated that the artwork and cutscenes would require a lot of work to update.
Obbe Vermeij, who previously worked on GTA 4 as a designer, then noted that Rockstar should still release a remaster, but only if it can do the game justice. He believes such a task would require a hefty investment, possibly matching the game’s original budget.
As a reminder, GTA 4 cost somewhere around $100 million to produce for Rockstar in 2008. Much of this cost went into the studio’s proprietary engine technology, resulting in one of the most technically advanced open-world titles at the time.
It might cost close to the original dev budget to make it competitive in today’s market. R* can opt not to do it. But if they do, they should do it right.
-Obbe Vermeij
Because the title was developed for the PS3 and Xbox 360, a modern port would also require more work than the average PS4 remaster. Still, because games like Red Dead Redemption and L.A. Noire have been released on modern consoles already, similar treatment for GTA 4 does not sound impossible.
A remaster has been rumored on multiple occasions in the past. Although nothing substantial has come of these rumors yet, Rockstar is no stranger to surprise announcements.
As such, hopes remain high for an eventual announcement.
Do you think this game deserves the remaster treatment? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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