Key Takeaways
1. Obbe Vermeij believes canceled projects like Agent and Project Z were distractions that wouldn’t match the legacy of GTA.
2. He emphasizes that Rockstar should focus on their flagship franchise rather than explore new, unconventional game ideas.
3. Vermeij suggests incorporating unique ideas into the GTA series instead of creating entirely new games.
4. While fans want more diverse offerings from Rockstar, he maintains that the studio should stick to what they do best.
5. He acknowledges Larian Studios for taking risks by creating new games instead of sequels, highlighting the bravery in stepping outside comfort zones.
Former technical director at Rockstar North, Obbe Vermeij, played a key role in developing Grand Theft Auto’s 3D universe, contributing to popular titles like GTA III, GTA: Vice City, San Andreas, and the first HD Universe game, GTA IV. Recently, he expressed that he has no regrets about the studio canceling projects such as Agent, Project Z, or a Bully sequel.
Distractions from Legacy
In a recent interview, Vermeij dismissed notions like a zombie-survival game set on a Scottish island and the espionage thriller Agent. He described these ideas as distractions that could never measure up to the legacy of GTA. Rockstar North had been working on a zombie game internally referred to as Project Z. This project utilized code and assets from San Andreas, aiming to create a grim, isolated atmosphere, which ultimately felt too bleak for Rockstar’s DNA and style.
The Fate of Agent
When it came to Agent, which was envisioned as a more linear James Bond-like adventure featuring locations such as Southern France and Morocco, the project began to falter when it abandoned the open-world aspect that is characteristic of GTA. In his conversation with GamesHub, he stated, “Looking back, I don’t think there’s any missed chance at all, either with that zombie game or other experiments like Agent. They wouldn’t have been as good as GTA and would have just wasted time and diverted focus.”
Sticking to What Works
Vermeij went on to reinforce the importance of Rockstar’s flagship franchise. He noted that after the franchise became a massive success, “it just doesn’t make sense to make any wild changes.” He elaborated, “If you have any unusual ideas, we should really incorporate them into GTA instead of launching a completely new game.”
While many fans are eager for more diversity in Rockstar’s offerings, such as a Bully sequel, the revival of Midnight Club, or a new Max Payne, Vermeij is of the opinion that the studio should focus on what they do best. He suggested channeling unconventional ideas into spin-offs like Chinatown Wars, Liberty City Stories, or expansions for GTA IV.
A Nod to Larian Studios
That said, he acknowledged Larian Studios for stepping outside their usual boundaries by announcing Divinity at the Game Awards 2025, right after the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. Discussing Larian Studios, Vermeij remarked, “It’s pretty neat to see companies like Larian Studios, who just did Baldur’s Gate 3, declaring, ‘We don’t feel like making Baldur’s Gate 4. We’re just gonna create another game. Good for them. But it’s a daring choice. It’s not an obvious one. It’s quite risky. It’s easier to just continue doing what you’re already doing.”
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