Grand Theft Auto 5’s online mode could be getting a fairly sizable playerbase boost in the near future. Take-Two, Rockstar’s parent company, has outlined its strategy to getGrand Theft Auto Onlineinto a new batch of player’s hands soon.
The newest tactic being considered to get players back intoGrand Theft Auto 5’s multiplayer mode,Grand Theft Auto Online, is putting out a newGrand Theft Auto Onlineonly release. This re-release would cut the game’s single player content out entirely in favor of a lower cost of entry for players wanting to get into the multiplayer - a move being suggested by Take-Two Interactive.
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This cheaper, “low-friction” option for players who still haven’t experiencedthe record-breakingGrand Theft Auto 5doesn’t have a set release date yet, but going from past examples of Take-Two releasing standalone multiplayer modes,Grand Theft Auto Onlinecouldreceive a standalone edition very soon.
This content separation has worked for Take-Two in the past, as it performed asimilar release withRed Dead Online,the multiplayer aspect ofRed Dead Redemption 2.The wave of support the multiplayer-only release gave to Rockstar’s wild-west shooter has seenTake-Two handing out free gifts to allRed Dead Onlineplayersas thanks. The same could happen for long-time players ofGTA Online,so there’s plenty of reason to look forward to the solo release for players both new and old.
For a game to still have an active and updated online scene after nearly 8 years is rare, but not entirely unexpected for a series as monolithic asGrand Theft Auto.Take-Two obviously doesn’t want its prized release to die off,especially if rumors of a long-awaited sequel are true. Reinforcing its loyal player base with new blood would put Rockstar’s series in a good place moving forward, and if the boost in the player count seen inRed Dead Onlineis to be repeated, this fresh release could indeed be the way to go.
The steep in-game cost of entry to the new content has been both a blessing and a curse, with a rising need to grind themost profitable content to generate funds inGrand Theft Auto Online. However, this need to accumulate capital keeps players engaged and goal-oriented, which also kickstarts the game’s ambient PvP scene as gangs clash in order to secure highly profitable “business opportunities” for themselves. It’s a neat side-effect of Take-Two’s obvious drive to boost micro-transaction sales, which are admittedly the driving force behindGrand Theft Auto Online’s well-furnished update schedule. A fresh batch of new players hitting Los Santos in the near future will hopefully see this trend carry on into the future- at least until there’s finally news aboutGrand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto Online’s standalone release currently has no confirmed release date, and is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X.
