Grand Theft Auto 6is inevitable, and it’s just a matter of time before the next crime saga is released. Rockstar Games' series has been hugely popular for years, with each iteration in the series bringing something new to the table for gamers to enjoy. While a new sequel might be high on fans' wish lists, it could be some time before a newGTAis released. Rockstar is known to take its time when developing games and doesn’t adhere to traditional marketing efforts at events such as E3, Tokyo Game Show, and other big industry events. Rockstar Games might not have much incentive to makeGrand Theft Auto 6just yet.
The last entry in theGrand Theft Autoseries came in 2013, withGrand Theft Auto 5.The multi-protagonist crime game has been extremely popular since its release and shows no signs of slowing down. Despite the sustained popularity ofGTA 5,Grand Theft Auto 6has been subject to countless rumors and leaks. As always, rumors and leaks should be taken with a grain of salt until there’s official confirmation, but it goes to show that the next game has been on the minds of gamers. Unfortunately for some, there could be quite a wait yet forGTA 6.
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There’s a Next Generation Grand Theft Auto 5 Coming
It was confirmed in 2020 that a next-generation version ofGrand Theft Auto 5is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Rockstar has mentioned that it will benefit from performance and visual upgrades, but there aren’tmore specific details on the next-gen version ofGTA 5.There is no confirmed release date for it other than a rough estimate of the second half of 2021.
Due to how imminent this release could be, it’s reasonable that this could be the next big project Rockstar is working on and the team will likely support this for some time to come after release. A project of the presumed size ofGrand Theft Auto 6would likely take up a huge chunk of resources, making it unlikely that Rockstar is entirely focusing on it at the moment.
Paired with the next-generation release ofGTA 5is astandalone release ofGrand Theft Auto Online.The onlineGTAgame continues to be extremely popular to this day, and the multiplayer mode is likely going to receive additional support. Launching on the new generation of consoles could open doors for the game to receive a sizeable addition to its already large audience.GTA Onlineis set to launch for free on PS5 for its first three months of availability after launch, potentially bringing a new influx of fans. Rockstar will likely want to supportGTA Onlineas long as it remains popular, which could mean the developer is in no rush to proceed withGrand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto Online and GTA 5 Are Still Very Popular
Grand Theft Auto 5andGTA Onlinecontinue to be extremely populareven years after release. So much so that 2020 was a record year forGTA Onlinein particular, with the multiplayer game setting a new record for its largest player count yet.
While a lot ofGTAfans are clamoring forGrand Theft Auto 6,it continues to be unlikely to happen any time soon due to the financial gain from the current versions ofGrand Theft Autoand its online mode. Based on the report from Rockstar that 2020 was a record year, this would suggest that its popularity hasn’t even begun to plateau. The future continues to seem bright fromGrand Theft Auto Online, and Rockstar is likely to reap the rewards from it for some time.
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The Popularity of RP Servers
Role-playing servers have contributed hugely to a resurgence inGTA Online’spopularity. For those who are unfamiliar, role-playing or RP servers encourage gamers to embody their characters and engage with other players while in character. This isn’t unlike tabletop role-playing games where the players are tasked with performing as their characters.
RP servers inGTA Onlineare often broadcasted on Twitchand often see high-profile streamers join in. This had led RP servers to huge success and has helped maintain the popularity ofGTA Online. This additional layer of popularity could make Rockstar even more hesitant to leave behindGTA 5and the current version ofGTA Onlinein favor ofGrand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Continues to Sell Incredibly Well
Grand Theft Auto 5is the second best-selling game of all time, right behindMinecraft.The game has managed to outpace industry tentpoles likeTetrisandPokemon RedandBlue.What’s more, the game continues to sell well to this day. It’s a common occurrence forGrand Theft Auto 5to re-enter the charts of top-selling games, which is a huge feat considering the game was originally released in September 2013. As long asGrand Theft Auto 5sees sustained success to this level, it’s hard to imagine that Rockstar would press on withGrand Theft Auto 6while there is success to be made from the last major iteration of the series.
Grand Theft Auto Onlinespecifically has been a huge source of success for Rockstar. The online multiplayer mode is set to get its own standalone release to make it easier for players to start experiencing the online component, according to Rockstar.A standaloneGTA Onlinereleasecould see Rockstar gain even more followers and financial success. Much like the baseGrand Theft Auto 5game, the online mode is enduringly successful and regularly features new content for players to experience. With so much life left in the online mode, Rockstar is unlikely to move past it any time soon.
Grand Theft Auto 6will likely continue to see rumorsuntil some official news is revealed on the much-anticipated title. Considering how long-lasting the success ofGrand Theft Auto 5andGTA Onlinehas been, it feels unlikely to some gamersGrand Theft Auto6will get news any time soon. Rockstar continues to see sustained success with the currentGTAtitles, making it more unlikely that the developer would want to go full steam ahead with the nextGrand Theft Autogame.
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