When it initially launched,Grand Theft Auto 5’s multiplayer component was still under development and was eventually delayed to accommodate the singleplayer release. However, the sprawlingGTAmultiplayer experience the game has become today is nothing like whatGrand Theft Auto Onlinelaunched as. Surprisingly, there was a time inGTA Online’s short history where the multiplayer offering wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now. A lack of meaningful content, tons of connection issues, among other things marred the release ofGTA 5’s multiplayer mode. Now,GTA Onlinehas ballooned in size, and has quickly become one of the most popular games ever made.
As forGrand Theft Auto 6, development is ongoing and largely remains a mystery for now. Rockstar Games is reportedly not planning to releaseGTA 6until several years from now, supposedly around 2025. Of course, in the meantime, Rockstar Games will continue to support the current iteration ofGrand Theft Auto Online. However, it is interesting to consider howGTA Onlinewill evolve alongsideGrand Theft Auto 6’s release, because it does genuinely bring up a lot of questions. Will the existing version ofGTA Onlinebe rendered obsolete in favor ofGTA 6’s version? Or will it be something far more ambitious that adopts a similar design?
An Incremental and Consistent Roadmap For GTA Online Content
A newGrand Theft Auto Onlinewould undoubtedly have to surpass its current iteration, assuming it will be revised alongsideGrand Theft Auto 6’s eventual release. Fan expectations will be high regardless, but many will expect new and innovative ways for players to similarly sink hundreds of hours into the game as they have withGTA Onlinecurrently.GTA Online’s potential “sequel” should be morethan just CEOs, bunkers, and cargo run missions again, though those features wouldn’t be wildly unwelcome. However, iterating onGTA Online, fans are expecting Rockstar Games to innovate the multiplayer experience beyond what’s inGTA Onlinealready.
Regardless of what those innovations become,Grand Theft Auto Onlineshould still implement an incremental approach to content that the current iteration of the multiplayer mode has done. Things like offices and gun-running being immediately available inGTA Onlinewould be fine, but releasing the multiplayer experience in a top-heavy strategy could mean plenty of lag time between release and the next big update.GTA Onlinedid a similar thing when businesses and apartments were added to the game, seemingly out of nowhere, and theDiamond Casino update coming years after. A newGTA Onlineshould follow a more consistent roadmap so fans know what to expect.
Matching or Expanding GTA Online’s Sheer Scope
In terms of the specific content itself, the expectation of a new version ofGrand Theft Auto Onlineis that the multiplayer mode reaches a similar extensiveness as the current version. However, even with similar content from the features already available inGTA Online, Rockstar Games will presumably want to innovate with new modes and features as well. Whether it’s a different business metagame, various new crime missions, or entirely new criminal enterprises, there’s still plenty of potential in expandingGTA Online.Assuming the Vice City rumors forGrand Theft Auto 6are true, a new mainline game could provide plenty of gameplay variation.
Obviously with a Miami theme, there’s plenty of potential for vice-themed activities for players to participate in. Drug-running in planes, trafficking in boats, negotiating drug deals, and other crimes typical ina Vice City setting would make sense forGrand Theft Auto Online. A new setting will always help to differentiate the culture and people in eachGrand Theft Autocity, even though it doesn’t rule out similar features fromGTA Onlinereappearing inGrand Theft Auto 6’s version. The bare minimum expectation would be thatGTA Onlinedoesn’t just consist of “bunkers and offices” again, but rather new avenues of progression that’s familiar but new.
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Maintaining GTA Online’s Level of Player Customization
Regardless of what content is new or familiar,Grand Theft Auto Onlineneeds to maintain the sheer degree of player freedom available in the game. Though the comparison isn’t entirely accurate,GTA Online’s progression and choices of businessdid give players MMO-like options for how they want to build their criminal empire. Of course, beyond choice of “career,” players need to be able to accessorize and customize their characters as extensively as they can already. Abundance of clothes and styles, and more importantly the ability to purchase/own several impressive cars, is pivotal to theGTA Onlineexperience. Everyone loves to show off their collection.
Of course this is all assumingGrand Theft Auto Onlinebecomes a whole new experience withGrand Theft Auto 6. There is the possibilityGrand Theft Auto 5’s version of multiplayer will somehow be integrated with the newGrand Theft Auto Online, but it’s not likely. Nearly everyGrand Theft Autogame has taken place in a completely separate city, with a new cast of characters and story.GTA Onlinewill presumably receive the same treatment, despite the enduring popularity of its current iteration. That’s also potentially whyGrand Theft Auto 6’s development is presumably taking longer,sinceGTA Onlineremains a huge successfor Rockstar Games.
