According to Chris Stockman, the former project lead on the original Saints Row, no studio today can outshine Rockstar.
In an interview with FRVR he remarked that “catching up to GTA is already impossible.” He went on to say that GTA Online has grown into more than a game — it’s a lifestyle and a vast brand whose success could only be matched if Rockstar itself were to stumble.
If GTA VI flops, it would be comparable to the E.T. Atari fiasco — only far worse, given today’s enormous budgets.
Yet Stockman remains optimistic. He believes the games industry is expansive enough to make room for new concepts and smaller-scale projects. “There’s nothing wrong with coming in second if you play your cards wisely,” he concluded.
Source: iXBT.games