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Former Rockstar developer says a GTA 6 Switch 2 port 'doesn't make sense,' but thinks a smartphone version is possible

Former dev who worked on GTA 6 from 2017 to 2020 says delivering a subpar Switch 2 experience makes little sense when fans will buy a PS5 for it.

Former Rockstar developer says a GTA 6 Switch 2 port 'doesn't make sense,' but thinks a smartphone version is possible
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Senior Tech Reporter
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TL;DR: Former Rockstar open-world designer Jérémy Hartvick doubts a GTA 6 port for Nintendo Switch 2 is worth pursuing, citing the risk of a weaker experience and fans' willingness to buy a PS5. He says a smartphone version could be possible, but no additional platform release has been confirmed.
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With GTA 6 launching November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, the question of what platform it will go to next is already circulating. A PC port is widely expected, and rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 version have been floating around for months. However, a former Rockstar developer has now come forward pushing back on the Switch 2 idea fairly directly.

Jérémy Hartvick, a former open-world designer at Rockstar who worked on GTA 6 from 2017 through 2020, told Kiwi Talkz that a Switch 2 port simply does not make much sense. "I don't believe it even makes sense, because I'm not sure the audience for GTA 6 is so much the audience for the Switch. If you're a GTA fan, you would probably buy a console on which GTA will come out," he said.

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Former Rockstar developer says a GTA 6 Switch 2 port 'doesn't make sense,' but thinks a smartphone version is possible 3

"Does it make sense for you to go out of your way to probably deliver a subpar experience, because it does not run exactly the same, when you know anyone will buy a PS5 to get your game? No." The argument is essentially that Rockstar's brand pull is strong enough that dedicated fans will buy whatever hardware they need to play, making an optimized Switch 2 port a difficult investment to justify for the return it would likely generate.

It is worth noting that the idea of GTA and Nintendo audiences not overlapping is not entirely accurate. GTA: The Trilogy sold well on Switch, suggesting there is a real audience there. The more honest obstacle is probably technical, with the Switch 2's CPU struggling with the simulation density GTA 6 is built around, and a watered-down version is exactly what Hartvick is skeptical of shipping.

Former Rockstar developer says a GTA 6 Switch 2 port 'doesn't make sense,' but thinks a smartphone version is possible 4

He stopped short of calling the idea ludicrous, though, adding that Rockstar could theoretically get GTA 6 running on a smartphone if it really wanted to, either through native optimization or cloud streaming. That is not as far-fetched as it might sound. Modern flagship phones have become genuinely capable gaming devices, with Qualcomm pushing hard on mobile performance and Apple's latest chips running Cyberpunk 2077, a game that was melting consoles at launch.

Former Rockstar developer says a GTA 6 Switch 2 port 'doesn't make sense,' but thinks a smartphone version is possible 1

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Question #1

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Question #2

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Question #3

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Whether GTA 6 eventually comes to Switch or smartphone remains a mystery, as does the official PC release date. In the meantime, Android gamers have an unofficial GTA V port to look forward to.

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About the author

Senior Tech Reporter

Hassam is a veteran tech journalist and editor with over eight years of experience embedded in the consumer electronics industry. His obsession with hardware began with childhood experiments involving semiconductors, a curiosity that evolved into a career dedicated to deconstructing the complex silicon that powers our world. From benchmarking PC internals to stress-testing flagship CPUs and GPUs, Hassam specializes in translating high-level engineering into deep, unbiased insights for the enthusiast community.

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