Why Grand Theft Auto May Never Go Global

Hey, GTA fans! Ever fantasized about tearing through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, or Istanbul in your favorite Grand Theft Auto ride? Well, according to former Rockstar tech director Obbe Vermeij, it's time to wake up from that dream.

In a riveting chat with Gameshub, Vermeij spilled the beans on GTA's never-realized ambitions for a global takeover! Post Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City, thrilling ideas for GTA games set in buzzing cities like Rio and Tokyo brewed behind the scenes, with GTA: Tokyo almost crossing the finish line.

Imagine this: Rockstar teamed up with a secret studio in Japan to make GTA: Tokyo a reality! But alas, as development chugged along, the Rockstar team hit the brakes. Why? Well, according to Vermeij, American cities just have that special vibe that's hard to replicate abroad.

Vermeij points out, "When you're betting billions, you stick with what works, and let's face it, America is the cultural hub of the West! Even folks who've never set foot in the U.S. have a mental map of its cities. So, sorry, no GTA: Bogota or GTA: Toronto on the horizon!"

Everyone's amped for GTA 6's return to the neon-knit streets of Vice City. But fans are buzzing: what about Europe, or even London? Vermeij isn't holding his breath. "I'd love it if games still popped out every year. But with a 12-year gap, your blockbuster won't skip the familiar playgrounds of New York, LA, or Vegas," he sighs.

Another voice sharing this sentiment? Rockstar's co-founder Dan Houser! On the Lex Fridman podcast, he reminded us that Grand Theft Auto's DNA is steeped in Americana, a vibe nearly impossible to capture anywhere else.

But hey, never say never! We want to know: would you rally for a GTA set outside the U.S., or are you vibing with the classic American hustle? Drop your ultimate GTA location picks in the comments and let's get this convo going!