The PlayStation 5 event kicked off Thursday afternoon with the most successful game of the past generation. A trailer for Grand Theft Auto 5 took precedence over any PS5 exclusive, showing just how important the Grand Theft Auto franchise is to the PlayStation platform. Sony confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5 is coming to PS5 in the second half of 2021.
Grand Theft Auto 5 isn't simply being rereleased on the PS5 platform, of course. Rockstar confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5 is being enhanced for the PS5's impressive new hardware. Specifics weren't provided, so it isn't clear if the game will run at 4K or 60fps, but players can likely trust Rockstar to make Grand Theft Auto 5 look outstanding.
But Grand Theft Auto 5 isn't just being enhanced for the PS5. Rockstar also says that it's being expanded. Rockstar didn't provide any specific details regarding what that might mean, either. What Rockstar does say is that it will be making the game "more beautiful and responsive than ever." Hopefully, it means something more substantial than just more Grand Theft Auto Online content.
Finally, Sony made an announcement that should make future PS5 owners very happy. That being that when it launches in 2021, Grand Theft Auto Online will be free for all PS5 owners. Grand Theft Auto Online players on PlayStation 4 will get a million GTA$ every month up until Grand Theft Auto Online is available on the platform. All that's required is a PlayStation Plus subscription. Of course, in order to get their GTA$, GTA Online players will have to log in and play at least once a month.
Following the conclusion of Sony's PlayStation 5 event, Xbox's community guru Major Nelson confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5 will be coming to Xbox Series X as well. It, too, will be "expanded and enhanced." It, too, will arrive in the second half of 2021.
As for why Grand Theft Auto 5 is taking so long to come to next-gen consoles, there's no word. Rockstar has clearly had plenty of time to pot the game, if it needed to. Grand Theft Auto 5 came out for the generation before last, after all. Rockstar's priorities simply must be on something else. What that could be remains a complete mystery, for now.
Grand Theft Auto 5 releases on PS5 and Xbox Series X in the second half of2021.
