Reorganization plans
Grand Theft Auto IV, the open world crime game, launched 15 years ago on April 29, 2008. Unlike earlier installments, this title embraces actors from Russian speaking regions not for its setting but due to the central figure’s background.
The protagonist is a Southeast European veteran, Niko Bellic. He brings combat experience from the Yugoslav War and finds himself entangled with the Russian mafia as he tries to start anew in Liberty City, the city inspired by New York.
The narrative begins with a car trip to Hove Beach, the game’s take on Brighton Beach, where most neighbors speak Russian, reflecting a district populated by immigrants from former socialist countries.
Insider Tez reports that while Rockstar Games continues work on a sixth mainline entry, it also contemplates a Grand Theft Auto IV remake featuring Bellic as the lead character.
According to the source, an updated version of GTA IV was under consideration for a 2023 release, but an unforeseen turn arose.
In the autumn of 2021, the studio known for high quality releases pursued remasters of the classic GTA III trilogy, Vice City, and San Andreas. Those remasters faced a widespread reception that left many players disappointed and critics questioning the outcome.
Reports described numerous textual errors, graphical flaws, frequent crashes, and poorly rendered character faces on launch day. Observers noted that the initial release felt unfinished, which reportedly led Rockstar’s leadership to pause the early stages of a Grand Theft Auto IV remaster. Another insider claims the goal is to deliver the updated version for PC and for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles.
The remaster is expected to include all add-ons, namely two side stories featuring biker Johnny Klebitz and nightclub owner Luis Lopez. A multiplayer mode was reportedly not planned for the remaster.
Sources indicate that the plan will continue after the release of the next mainline GTA title, GTA VI, and remains in effect.
Is Mashkov in the game?
There is chatter about incorporating more Russian language and cultural elements into the project. Actor Vladimir Mashkov was once slated to voice the lead role for the original game.
Initial plans imagined his character mirroring an actor from a widely seen film, with Mashkov playing a Serbian sniper pursuing an American sailor. The film’s plot, inspired by the Bosnian War, echoes in some in-game moments where Bellic navigates similar tensions.
Ultimately, American actor Michael Hollick provided Bellic’s voice in the original release, while Mashkov declined the offer, deeming the proposal insufficient or misaligned with the project’s scope.
One interview excerpt recounts Mashkov’s perspective on the situation, describing Rockstar’s approach as tightly controlled and legally secretive. He recalled being told to travel to America for a potential voice role, only to find the process opaque and isolating. He noted the project was treated with the prestige of a major blockbuster, which influenced how communications and compensation were handled.
Mashkov observed that the production atmosphere left room for ambiguity and limited direct dialogue about the scope of his involvement. He suggested that if an opportunity arose, it would need to be compelling enough to justify participation, given the uncertainties involved.
Later discussions indicated Mashkov would not participate in the remake. It was suggested that Rockstar would instead rely on previously recorded lines from Hollick. He had accepted a fixed fee for the original performance and did not receive a share of future remaster sales.
Some fans argued that Mashkov made a prudent choice by not engaging with the remake, fearing that the remake might undervalue his contribution while chasing broader commercial returns. By contrast, Hollick has stated that the original project generated substantial financial success, which has shaped ongoing industry expectations around voice acting for remasters.
The veteran performer’s reflections also touched on the secrecy surrounding major game productions and the delicate balance between creative vision and business concerns. He emphasized the pressure to deliver a product that could compete with blockbuster cinema in terms of scale and budget, which in turn influenced decisions about cast and script detail.
The question of Mashkov’s possible involvement in a remastered GTA IV remains unresolved. In addition, it is unclear whether Seryoga and Ruslana will return to perform in the updated version, given the time that has passed and rights considerations. Ruslana previously lent her voice to a radio segment featuring Russian language music, while Seryoga contributed songs tied to the game’s soundtrack and promotional materials.
Ruslana’s role as a host on Vladivostok FM, a radio channel within Liberty City that spotlighted Russian-speaking artists, linked her to GTA IV’s cultural atmosphere. Her Eurovision win in 2004 adds to the nostalgic value fans associate with her presence in the game’s world.
Seryoga’s track the King of the Ring, featured in the third trailer, aligned with the narrative arc of Bellic and his arrival in Liberty City. For the remaster, a subset of the original music is expected to remain, while some songs may be replaced to reflect licensing realities. The replacement of certain tracks in the Vladivostok FM lineup has been noted in relation to changes over time, with a portion of the station’s music surviving the updates.
The status of Seryoga and Ruslana’s participation in the remaster is uncertain. If their songs return, it would hinge on licensing agreements and the rights held by respective rights holders. The studio’s music direction will likely aim to preserve the game’s distinct mood while aligning with contemporary licensing needs and platform constraints.