GTA 6 is one of the most-anticipated entertainment releases ever, and many experts agree that it’s sure to be a fast success. However, Rockstar North boss Rob Nelson said the studio is “nervous” about the game’s upcoming release and living up to 13 years worth of hype and expectations.
“I try not to think about it,” Nelson told IGN. “You’re aware of it, of course. But I think we just have to try and make something that we feel is innovating on what we’ve done previously, evolving it while still making it feel familiar.”
Nelson went on to say that external pressure on Rockstar to deliver a great game with GTA 6 does not compare to “the pressure we put on ourselves as a team.”
“Everyone wants things to be perfect. We are nervous! Nervous, of course, but also excited to see how people respond to this video and then ultimately the game,” he said. “It is definitely a step forward in all respects for us–the size of the world, and how deep it feels. It’s a bit of a shock when you get in there, and you see the density of the traffic, the density of population, and the fidelity of their responses to you.”
Part of the reason why GTA 6 took so long to come to market is because Rockstar is “creating perfection,” according to Rockstar owner Take-Two.
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick explained that Rockstar prioritized polish over rushing the game to release. “We’re seeking perfection,” he said. “When we feel we’ve optimized creatively, that’s the time to release.”
“There’s inherent tension, potentially, between getting something to market and creating perfection,” Zelnick added. “But this company errs on the side of perfection.”
GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A report said the game might make enough money from preorders alone–amounting to an estimated $2 billion by launch–to pay for the game’s entire production budget.