When a new game releases, players often worry about the fate of its predecessor. With Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon, many in the community are asking if GTA 5 Online will continue to exist. The short answer? Don’t worry about saying goodbye to Los Santos just yet. Let’s find out the details of why GTA 5 Online’s future remains bright even as its successor prepares to take the spotlight.
Will GTA 5 Online Continue To Be Updated After GTA 6 Release?
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick responded to the concerns but avoided making any concrete promises about what’s next for GTA 5 Online. Zelnick explained the company’s general approach in an interview with IGN: “We support our properties when the consumers are involved with those titles. So we’ve shown a willingness to support legacy titles when a community wants to be engaged with them.”
To illustrate this point, he referenced NBA 2K Online in China. When NBA 2K Online 2 launched in 2017, Take-Two didn’t shut down the original game from 2012. Instead, they kept both versions running because players still wanted to play the older version. This suggests a promising outlook for GTA Online, which still attracts thousands of regular players and has generated billions in revenue for the company.
Expected Changes for GTA 5 Online After GTA 6 Launches
Based on industry patterns and Take-Two’s history with gaming, here is what you can expect:
Immediate Impact
When GTA 6 releases (likely in late 2025 for consoles, with PC possibly following in early 2026), GTA 5 Online won’t suddenly disappear. Many factors will still keep players on the older platform because not everyone will buy GTA 6 immediately. Moreover, many players are playing on platforms that won’t get GTA 6 right away, like PC. Some games will also stick with older-gen consoles for years.
Content Updates
Once GTA 6 launches, Rockstar will likely shift their development focus to the newer game’s online mode. This means:
- Major content updates for GTA Online might slow down or stop.
- Any new online features will probably be reserved for GTA 6’s multiplayer.
However, they might still keep on giving GTA Online bug-fix updates and the usual weekly event bonuses.
Server Support
The servers will remain online as long as they’re profitable. Rockstar might gradually downscale server capacity as player numbers decline. However, they will maintain basic functionality, continue basic monitoring, and essential maintenance for years to come, that’s for sure.
When Might GTA 5 Online Support Eventually End?
Based on Take-Two’s business approach, GTA Online will probably remain active for several years after GTA 6’s complete release (including its PC version). The most likely scenario would be continued support with minimal new content additions, focusing instead on stability.
The servers will likely stay online until there aren’t enough players to make it worth the cost. If they do decide to shut them down, it’ll probably happen a few years after GTA 6’s online mode becomes popular, and players would most likely get plenty of advance notice.
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What This Means For Current GTA 5 Online Players and Fans
Good news for those who’ve put hours and cash into GTA 5 Online, you can relax. Your digital empire in Los Santos won’t vanish overnight when GTA 6 launches. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your current game while deciding if and when to make the jump to the new title. In the end, Rockstar goes where the money is. As long as GTA Online keeps making a profit, the servers will stay up, even if the team starts focusing more on their next big project.
With GTA 6 expected to break sales records, Rockstar will be managing the hype around the new game while still supporting the success of GTA Online. Based on how things usually go, both games will likely stick around for years. As long as people keep playing, GTA Online isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.