Summary
- GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 have been highly successful, with online modes playing a significant role in their longevity.
- Rockstar needs to focus on role-playing and online modes for GTA 6 and Red Dead Redemption 3 to maintain success.
- The ability to role-play and consistent content updates are key factors in ensuring longevity and player engagement in future titles.
One of the most successful games of all time is Grand Theft Auto 5, which is partly thanks to Grand Theft Auto: Online and its role-playing elements. Since 2013, GTA 5 has sold 200 million copies, which is nothing to scoff at. Rockstar continues to provide new content for the mode while focusing on the development of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has also been highly successful, selling 64 million copies. Once again, the online mode, Red Dead: Online, has helped the game's popularity and longevity. With Red Dead Redemption 3 and GTA 6, Rockstar needs to focus on role-playing and its online modes to ensure its developmental investments yield the greatest results.
What's Your Prediction for Grand Theft Auto 6's Release Date?
The highly-anticipated next chapter in the franchise is reportedly going to be dropped in 2025, but the exact date is very much still in the air.
The Longevity of Grand Theft Auto 5
GTA 5 was released in 2013, yet it still has a very active player base. This is unusual for some games, but there are a few reasons why GTA 5 has enjoyed such longevity. The first reason is that it has been released across three generations of consoles, allowing new players to experience the action-packed crime game. Some might say this is a cash grab, but it's a strategy that has worked for Rockstar.
The second reason GTA 5 has had such a long lifespan is because of GTA: Online. Instead of receiving single-player GTA 5 DLC, the game has received new content via GTA: Online, giving players a reason to always return and role-play as different characters including player-created characters and series favorites like Lamar. Since its launch, it has had a lively player base, ensuring the single-player component tags along for the ride as well.
Red Dead Redemption's Online Component
Red Dead: Online hasn't been as successful as GTA: Online and there are a few reasons for this. Server issues, an unfair internal economy, griefers, and a lack of new content have stunted the online mode's growth. Nevertheless, it has remained fairly popular and has helped Red Dead Redemption 2 to enjoy a long lifespan.
Why RP and Online Modes Will Be Important For GTA 6 and RDR 3
GTA 6 is set to release in 2025 and while it hasn't been announced, it goes without saying that it will feature its own online mode. It is vitally important that Rockstar gets this mode right if it wants GTA 6 to enjoy the same longevity as its predecessor. This could be done by once again ensuring the online mode receives a steady stream of new content, and by taking steps to prevent griefers and bad faith players from ruining the fun of others.
The ability to role-play is also vitally important. As is the case in GTA 5's Director Mode, players should be able to take control of other characters and have fun with them. Additionally, players should be given the freedom to craft their own characters in GTA: Online for GTA 6 like Rockstar did for the current version of the online game. This will extend the game's lifespan, increase immersion, and ensure there are always new kinds of fun to be had.
The same is true for Red Dead Redemption 3, even though it has yet to be announced. An online mode for the game has a lot of potential that wasn't fully realized with Red Dead: Online, and Rockstar has a chance to change this. However, this will require not prioritizing GTA: Online and leaving Red Dead: Online by the wayside. The online game also needs a stream of new content as well as moderation systems to ensure fair play for everybody.
Role-playing should also be a feature. Players should be able to craft their own character to ride around with in RDR 3's online component. To do this, there needs to be a robust character creator system and a host of clothing to choose from. Red Dead: Online had this, but there is always room for improvement.
Not all players are fans of the online modes of Rockstar's games. The belief is that they draw away from the single-player aspects which could be receiving DLC. However, there is no denying that Rockstar's strategy is working financially, so things are unlikely to change soon.
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. Government and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other.
Grand Theft Auto V for PC offers players the option to explore the award-winning world of Los Santos and Blaine County in resolutions of up to 4k and beyond, as well as the chance to experience the game running at 60 frames per second.
The game offers players a huge range of PC-specific customization options, including over 25 separate configurable settings for texture quality, shaders, tessellation, anti-aliasing and more, as well as support and extensive customization for mouse and keyboard controls. Additional options include a population density slider to control car and pedestrian traffic, as well as dual and triple monitor support, 3D compatibility, and plug-and-play controller support.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- How Long To Beat
- 32 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 84 GB (July 2023)
- Metascore
- 81
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
