One developer is trying to build a GTA clone using only AI

The project, which Xu documented on X, began as a challenge to see if generative AI could handle the complex architecture of a triple-A title. While Rockstar Games is working with a budget estimated between $1 billion and $3 billion, Xu is relying on iterative prompts and open-source code shared on GitHub. His stated goal—to beat the official GTA 6 to market—is admittedly ambitious, though the developer acknowledges the absurdity of the task.

Progress has been visible, if rudimentary. Over the span of a few days, the game’s environment shifted from abstract shapes to a recognizable, if sparse, approximation of a Miami-inspired cityscape. The central character model has similarly evolved from a basic oval into a recognizable human figure. While the build currently lacks the physics, weaponry, and iconic soundtrack that define the series, the experiment serves as a high-stakes stress test for AI-assisted game development. Whether the current generation of large language models can bridge the gap between simple prototypes and complex digital worlds remains the core question of the project.