GTA 6 Is a 'Single-Player Experience,' Rockstar Confirms — What Now for GTA Online?
Rockstar Games has officially confirmed that GTA 6 is a "single-player experience," as noted in a message sent to IGN and reflected in the game’s preorder pages. This clarification suggests that the $80 base game does not include a new version of GTA Online, even if such an experience is under development. While many fans are speculating that Rockstar may eventually launch an updated or standalone version of GTA Online, the company has not yet provided details on how or when that might happen.
The current focus appears to be on the existing GTA Online, which has remained a central part of the GTA franchise for years. Digital preorders for GTA 6 come with a free month of GTA+, a subscription service that grants access to a range of benefits, including a monthly deposit of GTA$500,000 into a player's GTA Online character's bank account. According to Rockstar’s press release, pre-ordering any edition of Grand Theft Auto VI on the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store grants players access to these perks, along with special Shark Cards, discounted vehicles, and a rotating library of classic Rockstar Games titles.
It’s not entirely surprising that a new GTA Online may not be included with GTA 6 at launch. The current iteration of GTA Online has proven to be a consistent revenue generator for Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive. Its availability on PC, where GTA 6 will not be available day one, ensures that the game will continue to thrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. The existing GTA Online is likely to remain a major focus for the company, even as GTA 6 takes center stage.
Last year, IGN asked Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about the future of GTA Online, and he referenced NBA 2K Online, the free-to-play version of the 2K Sports basketball franchise aimed at the Asian market. NBA 2K Online was launched in 2012, and NBA 2K Online 2 followed in 2017. Both versions coexisted, allowing fans to continue playing and investing in the original without being left behind. Zelnick emphasized that Take-Two supports its properties when fans are engaged with them, suggesting that Rockstar may be willing to maintain both versions of GTA Online if there’s a demand for them.
While a new GTA Online may seem inevitable, fans should likely temper their expectations regarding its release timeline. In the meantime, there’s plenty more to cover about GTA 6, including confirmation of its price, over 60 new screenshots, and Sony’s claim that GTA 6 "plays best" on PS5.
