It looks like Rockstar Games is bidding adieu to both Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online. GTA 5 and its online companion first released in 2013 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and both have since been remastered for two further console generations. Rockstar confirmed earlier this year that it was developing the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise – widely reported to be GTA 6 – signaling that the series’ most recent release may finally be winding down.
The most recent next-gen version of Grand Theft Auto 5 – originally touted as an “expanded and enhanced” edition of the previous iteration – released in March earlier this year. While this new edition of GTA 5 didn’t bring anything new to Los Santos in terms of single-player content, it did provide a number of performance upgrades, helping to bridge the gap between the nearly decade-old title and newer releases. This new version of GTA 5 did face criticism from some fans at launch, however, with many at the time frustrated with the lack of updates regarding Rockstar’s next project: Grand Theft Auto 6.
As reported by PCGamesN, Rockstar it looks like Rockstar may finally be closing the curtain on Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online by rolling the game’s credits on its website. While not an explicit confirmation that GTA 5 and GTA Online are ending, the page on the website is titled “Thank You”, and lists all the people who helped to make both projects. Along with the credits was the following message:
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online represent the combined efforts of our global team over many years. We want to acknowledge and thank everyone who has contributed to these games, from their original launch in 2013 all the way through to present day.
GTA 6’s Arrival Signals Grand Theft Auto 5’s End
While Rockstar has shared this thank-you message to the developers of GTA 5 and GTA Online, the latter is still set to receive more content throughout the remainder of 2022. Recent updates to the multiplayer juggernaut have introduced new missions, vehicles, and weapons for players to use in Los Santos, and the money GTA Online continues to make would imply that it’s not coming to an end just yet. Even so, this new message on Rockstar’s website may signal a shift in priorities, with an official GTA 6 reveal trailer potentially releasing before the end of the year.
Regardless of any continued support for GTA Online, any chance of Rockstar potentially winding down its commitment to GTA 5 could be encouraging for players now ready for Grand Theft Auto 6. Grand Theft Auto 5 is almost a decade old now, and many players have seen most of what Los Santos has to offer. With the bulk of fan attention now seemingly on GTA 6, here’s hoping this new thank-you page may hint at a new announcement.
Sources: PCGamesN, Rockstar Games
