Former Rockstar Games developer Obbe Vermeij has downplayed recent Grand Theft Auto VI leaks, arguing that the footage will have little impact on the game’s huge launch and long-term success.
A former Rockstar Games developer has dismissed the recent Grand Theft Auto VI leaks as a minor issue, claiming the controversy is unlikely to affect the game’s eventual success.
Obbe Vermeij, who previously worked as technical director on titles including Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto IV, described the leaked footage as a “nothing burger” and suggested the majority of future players will not even see it.
The comments come after a hacker known online as Cyberleek began sharing short clips from Grand Theft Auto VI, reportedly in an attempt to promote a cryptocurrency project and draw attention to issues around digital ownership.
While Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive have taken the leaks seriously, Vermeij believes the impact has been exaggerated.
He wrote on social media: “Calm down everybody. The leaks are a nothing burger.”
According to Vermeij, Rockstar’s decision to keep Grand Theft Auto VI largely hidden before launch has helped create enormous anticipation, meaning the leaked clips only reveal a small amount of information compared with a traditional marketing campaign.
He said: “90 per cent of future players don’t spend their time on the internet looking for video snippets. They don’t have the time and don’t want spoilers.”
Vermeij acknowledged that developers at Rockstar are likely frustrated by the leaks but argued they are far less damaging than previous controversies faced by the studio.
He pointed to the infamous Hot Coffee controversy surrounding Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, where hidden sexually explicit content led to widespread criticism and legal issues for Rockstar.
He said: “The current leaks are far less consequential than [Hot Coffee] was.”
Recent leaked footage has also raised concerns that Cyberleek may have access to a playable version of the game. However, Vermeij suggested that any such build is unlikely to work on consumer hardware.
Referring to development hardware used by studios, he explained: “It probably only runs on a devkit.”
He added that there may not currently be a version capable of running properly on a standard PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S.
Grand Theft Auto VI remains scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Despite the leaks, Rockstar has continued preparing its official marketing campaign, with fans still waiting for a deeper look at the highly anticipated sequel.
Former Rockstar developer plays down ‘nothing burger’ Grand Theft Auto VI leaks
