Former GTA 5 and RDR2 animator praises GTA 6 visuals in viral reaction

Rockstar’s latest GTA 6 trailer has generated widespread excitement, catching the attention of even some of the studio’s former developers. Mike York, a former Rockstar animator on GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, posted his reaction to the new trailer on his YouTube channel, York Street Gaming. His energetic analysis of the visuals and animation has since gone viral, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the game's stunning technical achievements.Mike York was visibly shocked at the graphical detail of the trailer in his reaction video, saying, "Is this game really gonna look like this?" He made sure to point out that what people are witnessing is not just cinematics, but gameplay footage. "These are insane" York stated, praising Rockstar for being able to max out hardware.York, one of the developers directly engaged in character animation for GTA 5 and RDR2, pointed to the extreme detail in the trailer. From realistic lighting and textures to realistic character movement, he was impressed with how much further Rockstar has pushed environmental and animation realism in GTA 6. He mentioned that even minor details such as shadows, reflections, and street trash appeared to be hand-placed, which indicates an extreme amount of craftsmanship.York also admired the trailer's background NPCs, saying that each of them seemed to be doing something distinct, drinking, smoking, fighting, or simply existing in the world in a believable manner. This kind of ambient animation is something he says Rockstar has been perfecting for years and now seems to be at an all-new high.Though York doesn't work at Rockstar anymore, his response carries some merit in light of his first-hand experience with the development process of the studio. He was appreciative of the direction GTA 6 appears to be moving both visually and technically, terming it a "testament to Rockstar's evolution.”As excitement mounts for the 2026 launch, responses such as York's help fuel the build-up further. From someone who used to assist in creating the worlds of Red Dead and GTA, his approval is de facto certification for what might be Rockstar's most graphics-heavy title to date.Also Read: GTA 6 voice cast still under wraps as Roger Craig Smith confirms he’s not involved