Beyond Vice City: Unpacking the “Other Things” Rockstar is Working On

The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 has reached a fever pitch, with every trailer and rumor meticulously dissected by the global gaming community. However, in a recent interview, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick let slip a tantalizing detail: “Rockstar does have a lot of other things going on.” While he was quick to state that GTA 6 is the “primary focus,” this statement has ignited a firestorm of speculation about what other projects the acclaimed developer might be secretly working on. For fans of video games and the gaming industry at large, this news suggests that the post-GTA 6 content drought might not be as long as the 13-year wait between GTA V and its successor. Based on a history of rumors, past IPs, and recent developments, here’s a look at what “other things” Rockstar could be bringing to our consoles and PCs.

The Obvious Contender: A Red Dead Redemption 3

The most logical and highly requested project after GTA 6 is a sequel to the masterpiece that is Red Dead Redemption 2. The game’s incredible commercial and critical success makes a third installment a near certainty. While nothing has been officially confirmed, it’s highly likely that a team at Rockstar is already in the early stages of pre-production. The question is not if a Red Dead Redemption 3 is coming, but when and where it will be set. Given the timeline of the first two games, a prequel to the entire saga seems like the most plausible direction, allowing Rockstar to explore a new set of characters and a different period of the Wild West. This would give the franchise a fresh start while still honoring the tone and themes of its predecessors. A new entry in the series would be a massive game release, rivaling the hype of even GTA 6 itself.

The Nostalgic Revival: Bully 2 or a Manhunt Remake

Rockstar’s back catalog is filled with beloved IPs that have been dormant for years, and a number of them are prime candidates for a revival. The internet has been clamoring for a sequel to the 2006 cult classic, Bully, for over a decade. Set in a boarding school, the game’s lighter, more comedic tone and unique open-world setting made it a fan favorite. A sequel could serve as a perfect “palette cleanser” after the grim realism of Red Dead Redemption and the cynical satire of GTA. Similarly, a revival of the controversial stealth-horror series Manhunt could be on the cards. While the original games were known for their gratuitous violence, a modern take could lean more into genuine scares and improved stealth mechanics, offering a survival horror experience that showcases Rockstar’s technical prowess and narrative ambition.

A New Direction: L.A. Noire 2 or a New IP

Another strong possibility is a sequel to the critically acclaimed detective game L.A. Noire. The game’s unique blend of a detailed recreation of 1940s Los Angeles with complex interrogation mechanics was a bold departure for Rockstar. A sequel, potentially co-developed by the newly acquired Rockstar Australia (the studio formerly known as Video Games Deluxe, which was working with the original L.A. Noire creator), could build on the foundations of the original and create a compelling new crime story. Furthermore, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Rockstar could be working on a completely new IP. While it’s been a long time since they’ve done so, the success of their new properties like Red Dead Redemption proves that they are capable of creating iconic franchises from scratch. The development of a new IP, however, would likely be a long-term project that we wouldn’t see for many years to come.

Next-Gen Upgrades and Remasters

Beyond full-blown new games, the “other things” Zelnick mentioned could also be a series of remasters or next-gen upgrades. With the success of the Max Payne 1 and 2 remakes, which are a collaborative effort with Remedy Entertainment, it’s not a stretch to imagine a similar treatment for other classic Rockstar titles. There have been rumors of a GTA IV remaster and a port of Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2. A native next-gen upgrade for RDR2 on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, which would include ray tracing, faster load times, and other graphical enhancements, is also a highly anticipated and likely project. While not a new game, these remasters and upgrades would still be a significant part of Rockstar’s future content strategy, keeping their classic library relevant and providing new revenue streams after the launch of GTA 6. The future of Rockstar Games appears to be about more than just one highly anticipated title; it’s a strategic plan to deliver a steady stream of content that satisfies both longtime fans and new players on all gaming platforms.