Rockstar Reportedly Spends $200–300 Million on Water Physics in GTA 6

Rockstar Games is said to have poured a jaw-dropping $200–300 million into developing the water physics system for GTA 6, according to Tech4Gamers with references to VGTech.

A specialized team of 20 engineers is working exclusively on this feature, aiming to deliver the most realistic water ever seen in video games. The system will include dynamic tides, realistic flow mechanics, and other complex details designed to push immersion to the next level.

Beyond visuals, water will play a bigger role in gameplay. Players can expect surfing as a new activity within the open world, while hurricanes and floods will enhance the game’s dynamic weather system, making environments feel more unpredictable and alive.

What makes this investment even more striking is the scale: spending up to $300 million just on water is massive, especially considering that the rumored overall budget for the game is between $1–2 billion.

Grand Theft Auto VI is currently slated for release on May 26, 2026.