A long-time Rockstar Games developer has weighed in on recent speculation about a potential Grand Theft Auto IV re-release, suggesting that the 2008 classic deserves a full remaster. Obbe Vermeij, who served as technical director at Rockstar from 1995 to 2009, shared his thoughts after fans brought up the rumors. While he admitted he hadn’t heard anything official, he firmly believes the game should get a modern upgrade.
Having worked on GTA IV himself, Vermeij called it a fantastic game and pointed out how well recent remasters of older titles have performed. He also praised Niko Bellic, the game’s protagonist, stating that he still stands as the best lead character in the entire GTA series.
How a GTA 4 Remaster Could Work
When discussing how Rockstar might approach a remaster, Vermeij speculated that the studio could rebuild the game using the latest version of their RAGE engine. This would allow for improved visuals, smoother gameplay, and better compatibility with modern hardware.
However, it’s important to note that Rockstar hasn’t given any official hints about revisiting GTA IV. With GTA 6 deep in development and expected to launch in late 2025, the studio’s focus is likely entirely on that project. Releasing a remaster of GTA IV around the same time could risk splitting player attention, making the timing questionable.
Liberty City’s Possible Future in GTA 6
While GTA 6 is confirmed to take place in Vice City and the surrounding Leonida state, some fans speculate that Liberty City—GTA IV’s version of New York—might appear later as DLC. Given Rockstar’s history of expanding their games post-launch, this wouldn’t be out of the question.
For now, though, the idea of a GTA IV remaster remains purely speculative. Whether Rockstar decides to revisit Niko Bellic’s story or not, the discussion alone proves just how much impact the game still has over 15 years later.