Summary
One of the most successful games of all time isGrand Theft Auto 5, which is partly thanks toGrand Theft Auto: Onlineand its role-playing elements. Since 2013,GTA 5has sold 200 million copies, which is nothing to scoff at. Rockstar continues to provide new content for the mode while focusing on the development ofGrand Theft Auto 6.
Red Dead Redemption 2has also been highly successful, selling 64 million copies. Once again, the online mode,Red Dead: Online, has helped the game’s popularity and longevity. WithRed Dead Redemption 3andGTA 6, Rockstar needs to focus on role-playing and its online modes to ensure its developmental investments yield the greatest results.
The Longevity of Grand Theft Auto 5
GTA 5was released in 2013, yet it still has a very active player base. This is unusual for some games, but there are a few reasons whyGTA 5has 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 reasonGTA 5has had such a long lifespan is because ofGTA: Online. Instead of receivingsingle-playerGTA 5DLC, the game has received new content viaGTA: 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: Onlinehasn’t been as successful asGTA: Onlineand 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 helpedRed Dead Redemption 2to enjoy a long lifespan.
Why RP and Online Modes Will Be Important For GTA 6 and RDR 3
GTA 6is set to release in 2025and 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 wantsGTA 6to 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 inGTA 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 inGTA: OnlineforGTA 6like 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 forRed 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 withRed Dead: Online, and Rockstar has a chance to change this. However, this will require not prioritizingGTA: Onlineand leavingRed Dead: Onlineby 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 inRDR 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: Onlinehad this, but there is always room for improvement.
Not all players are fans of the online modes ofRockstar’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
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.
