KEY POINTS

  • Rockstar Games' presentation at the 2021 Game Developers Conference created a buzz
  • It talked about exploring machine learning to improve future projects
  • This fueled fans' speculations about the much-awaited "GTA 6"

"GTA 6," the unannounced yet heavily anticipated title from Rockstar Games, could have major features that could take the game to a whole new level, a recent presentation from the gaming studio suggests.

The game developer left eager fans of the hit "Grand Theft Auto" franchise rather intrigued after its presentation at the 2021 Game Developers Conference, which was only made available recently.

At the event, Rockstar Games talked about exploring the use of machine learning in game development. So far, artificial intelligence (AI) is one area many video game developers have not yet explored properly.

GTA Online: The Cayo Perico Heist
Anything goes on Cayo Perico, a private paradise that's home to the infamous El Rubio, the world’s preeminent narcotrafficker and supplier to the Madrazo family. Rockstar Games Official YouTube Channel

Rockstar Games put this into perspective by discussing the techniques it had used to make the horses in "Red Dead Redemption 2" very realistic. Such horses have more than 23 unique movement styles and 3,000 animations, the studio said.

Although this revelation is interesting, what has really captured fans' attention and fueled speculations are the studio's plans which, based on the presentation, include improving several things in the games it would release in the future.

Among the things Rockstar Games reportedly plans to do is introduce "an even wider variety of movement" to future titles. It also aims to improve the responsiveness and quality of animals and humans in the games.

Moreover, the presentation also touched on machine learning approaches and better parity between player-controlled and AI characters.

At the moment, the implications of these future plans for "GTA 6" remain to be seen. However, it seems the gaming studio is gearing to raise the bar again following the successful release of "Red Dead Redemption 2" in 2018.

If "GTA 6" would truly benefit from improved AI capabilities, fans might get their hands on one of the most realistic "Grand Theft Auto" titles ever released. Considering the potential changes to gameplay, setting and other factors, these improvements could indeed take the game to another level.

Unfortunately, these are all speculations at this point since Rockstar Games has not yet confirmed if "GTA 6" is in the works.

The gaming studio is currently preparing to release "GTA 5: Enhanced Edition," which will come out in November.