What will happen to GTA Online when Grand Theft Auto 6 arrives? This is a burning question for many GTA Online players, especially as the fall 2025 release date looms closer. GTA Online, Rockstar's incredibly successful live service, continues to attract players even a decade after its launch. Its enduring popularity and profitability are believed to have influenced Rockstar's decision to prioritize it over story DLC for Grand Theft Auto 5, a choice that disappointed some fans. However, a larger question remains: what happens to existing GTA Online when its successor arrives?
The expectation is that GTA 6 will include a new and improved GTA Online experience, possibly called GTA Online 2 or retaining the original name. Current players are understandably concerned about their investment—the time, effort, and money poured into the existing game—potentially being rendered obsolete. Why invest now, in early 2025, when a new GTA Online might launch in just a few months?
This question was posed to Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick in a recent interview. His response offers intriguing insight. While he avoided specifics about a new GTA Online (as it's unannounced), he used the example of NBA 2K Online to illustrate Take-Two's approach.
NBA 2K Online, launched in 2012, was followed by NBA 2K Online 2 in 2017. Importantly, both games continued to operate simultaneously, allowing players of the original to continue playing without losing their progress or investments.
Zelnick stated, “I'm going to speak theoretically…But generally speaking, we support our properties when the consumers are involved with those titles. As an example, we launched NBA 2K Online…and then we launched NBA 2K Online 2…We did not sunset Online 1. They both are still in the market…So we've shown a willingness to support legacy titles when a community wants to be engaged with them.”
This suggests, though doesn't confirm, that a potential GTA Online 2 wouldn't necessarily replace the original. If players continue engaging with the current GTA Online, Rockstar might maintain support for it.
It's crucial to remember that much about GTA 6 remains unknown beyond the initial trailer and release window. However, with a fall 2025 release potentially following Borderlands 4's September launch, Rockstar will likely need to reveal more details soon.
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