'Mark My Words' - GTA 5 Dev Predicts Game of the Year Contender To Rival GTA 6

February hasn’t even drawn to a close but discussion has already turned to this year’s Game of the Year.

In December, Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards will return, with the evening ending with the coveted GOTY accolade.

Who will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?

Well, fair to say, many people are predicting that it’ll be Grand Theft Auto VI.

Rockstar Games' highly anticipated release is rightfully generating a ton of buzz, with its promise of a jam-packed open-world.

Already, GTA VI has broken records with its trailer views. Just imagine what that game will do to the world come release day.

It’s hard to see GTA VI as being anything other than a monumental success. That’s why plenty of people see it as the surefire winner.

GTA VI Could Face Competition From Another Detailed Open-World Game

That’s not the case for one former Rockstar Games animator though, who thinks another major 2026 title could be in contention for the GOTY title… Crimson Desert.

“This game, this could be Game of the Year, okay. Mark my words," former GTA V animator Mike York said, as reported by WCCFTech.

"And the reason for that is because of how much you can get lost in this game... it really is a contender when it comes to all the cool stuff all this game kind of has to offer.

“If GTA VI drops the ball, this could be Game of the Year. If GTA VI wasn't here at all this year, this [Crimson Desert] would probably take Game of the Year, from what it looks like."

Pearl Abyss

I have to say, I’m inclined to agree.

Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert is a game that’s promising a lot.

In fact, it almost feels too good to be true, but the development team has dropped a ton of gameplay deep dives showcasing the features promised in action.

Crimson Desert is an RPG set in a sprawling open-world, filled with plenty of side quests, boss fights, rideable dragons, and more.

Just the other day, I saw a clip that showed how you can use any tree to catapult yourself into the sky. Of course you can.

The depth of what Crimson Desert seems to offer is perhaps only on par with the open-world depth Rockstar is known for.

I had the opportunity to play Crimson Desert at 2024’s Gamescom and I’ll admit, I’ve been intrigued by it ever since.

I did think the sparking effects had been overdone in combat and I’m not convinced that’s changed, but it’s a small gripe.

Perhaps neither title will win GOTY. We could have another surprise phenomenon arrive on the scene, just as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did last year.

For now though, it does seem like we have our first two frontrunners if they stick the landing.