Ex-Rockstar Dev Halts GTA 6 Trailers: 'Hype is Sufficient'

As the anticipation builds for more news on Grand Theft Auto 6 following the release of Trailer 1 in December 2023, a former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, has suggested that no further trailers should be released before the game's launch. Rockstar released GTA 6 Trailer 1 to record-breaking viewership, yet since then, no additional assets have been shared, leading to a year-and-a-half of waiting that has sparked a range of conspiracy theories among fans. These theories include analyzing counting the holes in Lucia’s cell door net, the bullet holes in the car from Trailer 1, and even vehicle registration plates. The most notable theory, the GTA 6 moon watch, accurately predicted the announcement date for Trailer 1, though it was debunked as a hint at the release date for Trailer 2.

The burning question remains: when will GTA 6 Trailer 2 be released? Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, hinted that fans might have to wait until close to the game's release date, set for fall 2025, for their next glimpse of this eagerly awaited title. However, Vermeij, who worked on the series until Grand Theft Auto 4 in 2008, tweeted that if it were up to him, he "wouldn’t release any additional trailers." He believes the existing hype around GTA 6 and the element of surprise would make the game's release an even bigger event. In response to a fan's suggestion that Rockstar might only announce the release date without further trailers, Vermeij called it "a boss move."

While Rockstar named the first trailer "GTA 6 Trailer 1," suggesting more might follow, plans can change. Vermeij noted that Rockstar delayed GTA 4 just three months before its original release date in 2007, hinting that a similar "decision day" might occur for GTA 6 around Take-Two's August earnings report.

99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow

View 51 Images

In an interview with Bloomberg in March, Zelnick discussed the secrecy around GTA 6's release date, emphasizing the unprecedented anticipation for the game. He explained that Rockstar aims to balance excitement with unmet anticipation by releasing marketing materials closer to the release window, a strategy they've used to great effect.

Mike York, a former Rockstar animator who contributed to GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, suggested on his YouTube channel that Rockstar is intentionally fueling speculation and conspiracy theories by staying silent on the game and the release of Trailer 2. He believes this tactic creates allure and keeps the community engaged without the need for new content. According to York, Rockstar's silence is a deliberate marketing strategy that encourages fans to come up with theories, fostering community interaction and maintaining interest in the game.

York added that Rockstar is resisting fan pressure to announce the GTA 6 Trailer 2 release date, as this silence is an effective marketing tactic that keeps the community buzzing with theories and speculation. Zelnick's comments suggest that if GTA 6 Trailer 2 does exist, it may not be released until closer to the game's fall 2025 release date, assuming no delays occur.

As fans eagerly await more details on GTA 6, they can explore IGN's coverage on various related topics, including insights from an ex-Rockstar developer on potential delays, Zelnick's thoughts on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and expert opinions on the performance capabilities of the PS5 Pro with GTA 6.