5 reasons why Rockstar won't pull the plug on GTA Online anytime soon
GTA Online has been going strong for around a decade. With GTA 6 on the horizon, many fans believe Rockstar Games might finally put this online multiplayer mode to rest. However, others agree the studio won't pull the plug so soon. There are several reasons behind this statement but some are much more convincing.
We go through five reasons players will still have access to GTA Online long after GTA 6 rolls out.
Note: This article is subjective and based on the writer's opinion.
5 reasons GTA Online will stay alive even after GTA 6's release
1) It's a well-established game
Rockstar Games has announced the release window of GTA 6 for 2025, but there's no information about the next online multiplayer mode. On the other hand, the current GTA Online is too well-established for the studio to pull the plug immediately after the next title in the series goes live.
This is also because establishing a game so good takes years, so removing it in a hurry will neither be apt nor profitable for any party. This is one of the biggest reasons the game will stay one for a long time even after GTA 6 rolls out. Players will take their time moving on and settling into the newest installment in the series.
2) PC players need the game before GTA 6 goes live
Most players who claim GTA 6's release will be the time Rockstar packs up GTA Online are definitely wrong. While everybody looks forward to playing the upcoming title in the franchise, the developer will only roll it out for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S initially and keep other platforms in the dark.
This means players on PC will need to wait for Rockstar Games to port the game for their platform and continue enjoying GTA Online. This process usually takes a year or two, so the community can rest assured that the current online multiplayer mode will still be kicking.
3) GTA Online will be the only option for older consoles
Another reason GTA Online will still be kicking several years after GTA 6's release is that the older consoles will most likely be unable to run the latest game in the series. Hence, they will only have the current online multiplayer mode to give them company while Rockstar Games looks for an alternative.
With such an active player base, it's hard to imagine the studio will switch off the online multiplayer mode any time soon. It will be incredibly rude, and Rockstar Games won't remove the well-established source of fun from these consoles. Hence, players can expect new GTA Online weekly updates to keep dropping in the future.
4) It will remain a big source of revenue
While the current online multiplayer mode will witness a sharp decline in the active player base, it will still stay populated thanks to the limited release of GTA 6. This also means the online multiplayer mode will still be one of the studio's biggest income sources.
Naturally, Rockstar will do everything in its power to keep it alive and running for as long as possible. The game might see a steep decline once the developer fully completes GTA 6 Online or integrates the current online mode with the latest title.
5) GTA Online can turn into an experimental ground
As mentioned, Grand Theft Auto Online is well-established and has a strong player base. This allows Rockstar Games to use the game as an experimental ground to test out vehicles, features, and other aspects that might be added to GTA 6 Online in the future.
For example, the studio might bring the GTA Online Pizza Delivery Mission in the upcoming title. So, releasing it in online multiplayer mode lets them see how players receive it and what major issues they run into while playing it. This way, Rockstar can keep this mode alive for a long time and let players enjoy new features.