Highlights

  • With the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the future of Grand Theft Auto Online remains uncertain, but it may persist rather than getting replaced.
  • Rockstar has prioritized GTA Online over other projects, indicating its importance and longevity.
  • Even with the launch of GTA 6, Rockstar is likely to continue supporting and updating GTA Online due to its popularity and profitability.

The status of Grand Theft Auto Online once Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out may have already been foreshadowed by past information. With the series still firmly positioned as Rockstar's flagship franchise, it's expected to put maximum effort into the rollout of the next game. At the same time, that raises questions about Grand Theft Auto Online, and how much life the game could have left. With a new game coming along, Rockstar's priorities will certainly have to shift. As a result, that can leave players wondering what will happen to Grand Theft Auto Online.

When the first Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer premiered, no one could be blamed for being excited. The game had been the subject of rumors for years, and it had already been a remarkably long time since the last installment. The confirmation that the game would be returning to Vice City, as well as the reveal of the new protagonists, added to the game's already-impressive hype. Nothing came out regarding future plans for GTA Online, though. No news regarding the current game, or if GTA 6 would replace it with a new version. At least for the time being, the exact plans remain a mystery.

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Grand Theft Auto 6 May Not Be the End For GTA Online

Three Grand Theft Auto Online characters in a gunfight

GTA Online Has Outlasted Other Rockstar Projects

According to recent rumors, Rockstar cancelled Bully 2, as well as several single-player DLC expansions for Grand Theft Auto 5. Rumors claim that these projects were canceled so that Grand Theft Auto Online could get sufficient support. Granted, one could assume that this is because Grand Theft Auto Online is already out and has an active player base. Even so, Red Dead Online saw an end to its support despite having active players, albeit fewer than GTA Online. This proves that, at least at the time, Grand Theft Auto Online was still enough of a priority for Rockstar not to pull support in favor of GTA 6's development.

GTA 6 Has Little Reason to Replace GTA Online

Another detail to take into account is that Grand Theft Auto 6's open world is possibly going to be even bigger than that of GTA 5. That would mean that a new version of GTA Online featuring it would be an even greater endeavor than the first. While the incredibly long gap between games could be seen as a reason to believe that a new GTA Online could be in the works to replace the original, there's nothing concrete to back the idea. Rockstar doesn't have much of a reason to replace the already-thriving GTA Online, so leaving it in place seems ideal.

GTA Online Still Receives Updates and Maintains a Large Player Base

Even looking at the game's current state offers a hint. Fans will almost certainly continue playing GTA Online through 2024, due to it still receiving updates. Rockstar has continued to support the game even while GTA 6 has been in the works. Even with the new game finally on the horizon, GTA Online received yet another update. Rockstar's continued work on the game gives little indication that it will be dropped once Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out. It is simply too popular and lucrative to be abandoned so easily, and it's hard to see Rockstar doing so even with GTA 6 coming out.

Rockstar doesn't have much of a reason to replace the already-thriving GTA Online , so leaving it in place seems ideal.

While nothing is concrete, Grand Theft Auto Online likely has a few good years of service left. While there is plenty of hype for Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar has little reason to abandon or replace GTA Online when it comes out. Between how many other projects GTA Online has outlasted, as well as the game's own continued success, the best option that the developers have is to keep the game running as is. Grand Theft Auto 6's launch shouldn't be a threat to Grand Theft Auto Online's continued existence.