If all goes according to plan,Grand Theft Auto 6is finally coming out later in 2025. Players around the world have spent over a decade withGrand Theft Auto 5at this point, whether that’s been in the campaign orGTA Online, and it’s time for a change.Grand Theft Auto 6takes the action back to the series’ famous Vice City, this time with Jason and Lucia leading the charge as a Bonnie and Clyde-like robber duo. Rockstar Games has otherwise been tight-lipped about what to expect fromGTA6, but that’s expected to change soon.
Rumors about the new game are already spilling out, and the latest credible one comes from Digiday. According to three anonymous industry insiders, Rockstar wantsGrand Theft Auto 6to be a creator-driven platform, with user-generated content playing a large role in its online component. This is alogical evolution of the currentGTA Online, and likely motivated Rockstar’s 2023 acquisition of CFX.RE, a team of roleplay server developers for Rockstar’s games. What the potential to modifyGTA6’s assets and environments means for the game is unknown, but it needs to avoid falling into the same pitfallsFortniteandRobloxdid.
A Lot Could Go Wrong With Grand Theft Auto 6’s Fan-made Content
User-generated content has played a big part in keeping successful franchises like Bethesda’sElder Scrollsseries and FromSoftware’sDark Soulstrilogy relevant long after their launch.Robloxpractically ran on user-submitted maps from the beginning, andFortnitehas built support for them over the past few years on top of its other strengths. It can’t be understated how wellthe roleplay-orientedGTA Onlineand, to a lesser extent,Red Dead Onlinehave done for Rockstar Games, especially by funding its long and extensive development practices. Supporting fan content isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however.
Fortnite and Roblox’s Many Content Creator Controversies
Managing user-generated content is a can of worms that few have opened gracefully, withFortniteandRobloxboth getting into trouble over it. Both games’ treatment of community developers is exploitative, and things like originalFortniteJam Tracks not being properly credited are just the start. Creators are underpaid when they actually get real money, and are eithergivenRoblox’s in-house Robux currencyor nothing when they’re not. Advertising isn’t guaranteed, withRobloxrequiring a fee for official aid, and both titles’ content and community moderation are practically non-existent, leading to plenty of false copyright claims.Fortniteis better about stepping in, but usually after a controversy starts making headlines.
How Grand Theft Auto 6 Can Support Its Fan Developers
Responsible Community Content Management Could Make GTA 6 The New Gold Standard
To make a long story short,FortniteandRobloxare great guides for whatGrand Theft Auto 6shouldn’t do with user-generated content. Given the abundance of player-made racetracks, game modes, and roleplay servers forGTA5,GTA6can’t afford to be caught slacking. The first and most simple thingGTA6can do to avoid issues is make sure that, no matter what something is, it has the names of everyone who worked on it in some visible space. Simple as that sounds, Rockstar needs to ensure the necessary systems and UI are in place so that they don’t become a problem later.
