GTA IV Was So Far Ahead of Its Time That Its Technical Details Still Impress Even the Developers Today

This time, enthusiasts have turned their attention to the game’s sophisticated water physics.

Grand Theft Auto fans are known for uncovering technical nuances in the franchise’s classic titles that were far ahead of their time. Currently, the spotlight is on the water dynamics in Grand Theft Auto IV, which continue to impress even industry veterans years after the game’s release.

On the social media platform X, the GTA 6 Countdown account shared a video featuring a helicopter landing in shallow water. As the aircraft descends toward the surface, the intense air currents from the rotor blades physically displace the water, carving out a dry patch for the landing. Once the engines are cut, the water flows back to fill the void, only to be scattered again during a subsequent takeoff.

The footage caught the attention of Obbe Vermeij, the former Technical Director at Rockstar Games who played a key role in developing GTA IV. According to him, the interaction was originally conceived primarily as a subtle visual flourish.

Source: iXBT.games