The attention surroundingGrand Theft Auto 6is showing no signs of slowing down, with Rockstar still holding firm on the intended 2025 release window for the massively anticipated title. Given the huge success of its predecessor, it is clear why so much pressure is on Rockstar to makeGTA 6a one-of-a-kind experience brimming with a record-setting amount of content, with the late-2023 reveal trailer for the project giving fans a brief glimpse of what they can expect to see.
The bulk of the discourse forGrand Theft Auto 6is understandably centered around its single-player narrative and major characters, although there is one huge element of the release that is on track to be just as important.Grand Theft Auto Onlinehas opened up a whole new world for the franchise over the past 12 years, withGTA 6’s own online mode having untold amounts of potential in the ways it can build on this success. With this in mind, it seems important that Rockstar lets the main story experience ofGTA 6breathe before releasing the next step of the franchise’s multiplayer evolution, allowing both experiences to thrive in their own right.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Single-player Deserves An Uncontested Stint in the Spotlight
The launch ofGrand Theft Auto 5was momentous in many ways, withGTA 5going on to become the most profitable piece of media ever made, and with the game evolving what could be expected from the IP’s single-player experiences through its multiple simultaneous protagonists. The online offerings ofGTA 5have arguably become one of the most defining aspects of the release over the years, withGrand Theft Auto Onlinebecoming its own standalone release and being a huge contributor towards the long-lasting popularity ofGTA 5itself.
Grand Theft Auto Onlinehas proven itself to be a goldmine in terms of post-launch content for Rockstar, with the monetization of the mode still earning the studio a reported $500 million per year over a decade after it was first introduced. With things like heists, races, clubs, gangs, andthe explosion of dedicated roleplay servers, it is clear why so many fans are excited to see how Rockstar adapts the formula ofGTA Onlineto the upcomingGTA 6, although this should not stifle the immediate reception of the base game.
The release ofGTA Onlinecame less than a month after the initial launch ofGrand Theft Auto 5in late 2013, immediately shifting a lot of the discussion around the game away from its single-player mode. Of course, this early build ofGTA Onlinewas barren compared to the unfathomable amount of content it currently possesses, but it is fair to say the launch ofGTA 6’s online mode will aim to immediately compete with and even exceedthe 12 years of content thatGTA Onlinehas built over time.
Players Should Be Eased Into the New Era of Grand Theft Auto
ReleasingGTA 6’s online mode at this same rapid pace after the game’s main launch could run the risk of overshadowing a title that fans have waited over a decade for, with the unmatched anticipation behindGTA 6being deserving of some uncontested time to be enjoyed without the distraction of a bombastic online mode. Of course,the single-player content ofGTA 6is expected to eclipse that ofGTA 5, meaning fans would struggle even more to experience everything the title has to offer if its online mode is released so soon.
Alongside an expansive portrayal of Vice City and its surrounding areas,GTA 6is rumored to feature secondary major locations such as Caribbean islands, giving an idea of the sheer scale of its single-player content.
Staving off the release of an online mode for at least a few months seems like a sensible way to let the title breathe and to let fans enjoy the core experience of the title while becoming familiar withGTA 6’s new mechanics and locations. Closely timed releases ofGTA 6’s story and multiplayer could cause a lot of unnecessary bloat, and a well-timed delay between the two would only serve to create even more hype and a strong early presence for the exciting project.
