Yesterday, a claim surfaced online suggesting that a Grand Theft Auto 4 remaster could hit the market later this year. That naturally set the gaming world ablaze, as many viewed it as a potential opportunity to occupy time until the May 2026 release date of GTA 6 rolls around.
As the claim gathered traction, a former Rockstar legend by the name of Obbe Vermeij took to social media to agree that GTA IV should be remastered. He also mentioned that Niko Bellic is ‘still the best protagonist in any GTA game.’
Bold Statements
Obbe Vermeij soared in popularity in 2023 when he set up a blog to share secrets and insider stories from his time at Rockstar Games. The developer worked on GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 4, as well as some spin-off titles, making him a fountain of knowledge. He has often appeared on social media platforms divulging all manner of development anecdotes.
Recently, a user asked Vermeij what he thought about the rumours regarding a GTA 4 remaster, which surfaced just yesterday.
He wrote:
I hadn’t heard those rumours. I think gtaIV should be remastered. It’s a great game and there have been a number of successful remasters recently.
He’s not wrong. Remasters and remakes have been turning heads in the last couple of years. Most recently, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was remastered by Bethesda Game Studios and Virtuos, selling more than a million copies in just a couple of days.
Vermeij then made a bold statement:
I would like to see it updated. Niko is still the best protagonist in any gta game I think.
As it happens, I agree with Obbe Vermeij. I recently penned a breakdown that ranked all the major GTA protagonists, and Niko Bellic secured the top spot.
Do you agree with Vermeij that GTA 4 should be remastered? Let me know what you think in the comments or on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Squad Busters has had a major gaming overhaul
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
Were not getting a GTA7 soon enough to visit Liberty City. We need a True Crime NYC remake and sequel
Trevor
Yeah I agree Niko had so much more depth to his character and the story delved into areas that most GTA games rarely tread like morality.
The intertwined story of GTA IV and it’s two dlcs really did an amazing job telling a pulp fiction like story that made a trivial death in one game into a tragic event in another.
When GTA v came out I remember being disappointed overall the story felt more Michael Bay like a good time blow everything up and I really disliked all of the protagonists overall there was no character growth in v everyone ended the same way they started. Disappointing doesn’t mean bad at all for reference.