Former Rockstar Director Left Over GTA’s Shift to Darker Tone

Obbe Vermeij, former technical director of Grand Theft Auto IV, recently shared why he left Rockstar Games, citing the franchise’s shift towards a darker tone as a key factor in his decision. In an interview with YouTuber SanInPlay, Vermeij discussed his thoughts on how GTA evolved, particularly with the release of GTA IV, and gave his take on what fans can expect from the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.

Vermeij explained that while he enjoyed the first three GTA games, he felt GTA IV took the series in a direction that was “too serious” and “too dark.” GTA IV follows the story of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European war veteran trying to escape his troubled past while becoming entangled with dangerous criminals in Liberty City. For Vermeij, the shift in tone was jarring. “I really enjoyed the first three games, and then we made GTA IV, and to my mind, it was a little too serious, too dark, too depressing almost,” he reflected.

This darker tone contributed to his decision to leave Rockstar after GTA IV. “It was a number of things,” Vermeij admitted, including personal reasons like his wife’s desire to move back to Canada. However, he also mentioned his disappointment with GTA IV‘s direction, saying that he didn’t find it as fun or enjoyable as its predecessors. He feared that GTA V would continue in the same dark vein. “I thought the next one was going to be even darker,” he said. “I’m happy to see that I was wrong. GTA V is a lot more lighthearted than GTA IV.”

Despite his departure, Vermeij expressed admiration for the direction the series took in GTA V, which offered a more balanced tone between dark themes and humor, allowing for a lighter, more fun experience.

Vermeij’s Thoughts on GTA VI and Its Future

Later in the interview, Vermeij and SanInPlay discussed the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for release in Fall 2025. Vermeij admitted that he hasn’t been closely following leaks about the game, noting that they often aren’t as important as people make them out to be. “Leaks are usually not as important as people think,” he explained. “It’s just because there’s millions of people waiting for any news… and Rockstar doesn’t give them any news.”

While Vermeij didn’t have any insider information about the game, he did share his excitement about the improvements he’s seen so far, particularly in how Rockstar has elevated the franchise’s visuals and character animations. He cited a scene where characters on the beach each seem to have their own unique animations, which he found impressive. However, he tempered his expectations, suggesting that while GTA VI will likely be a fantastic game, it may not be a radical departure from GTA V. “I think people might be a little disappointed on the first day, but it’s still going to be the best game out there,” he said.

Fans are eagerly awaiting more details about GTA VI, but for now, it’s clear that Rockstar has a lot of expectations to meet after the success of GTA V.

Grand Theft Auto VI is set for release in Fall 2025, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the decade.