Important points
Rockstars prioritize perfection above all else. This means that each GTA game has to be groundbreaking in every way. The huge success of GTA V and continued revenue from GTA Online is likely what led to the delay in the release of GTA VI. Each entry in this franchise is significantly bigger and better than the previous one, and therefore requires more time, money, and resources.
Back in the day, it seemed like a new GTA game would hit store shelves every other year. And that’s because it actually happened. The time gap between GTA III and GTA: San Andreas was only three years with Vice City in between. So why, a full 11 years after GTA V was released, is there still no GTA VI?
rock stars pursue perfection
When Rockstar Games releases a new game, it sets a new industry standard for not just that year, but an entire console generation, for other publishers to follow. Each entry in the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises features groundbreaking physics, stunning graphics, intricate storytelling, and vast open worlds.
Everything Rockstar does has to be perfect down to the last detail before a publisher decides it can be made available to consumers.
Perhaps no one has explained Rockstar’s philosophy better than Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive (the company that owns Rockstar Games). In an interview he said: “I think that’s the challenge that the folks at Rockstar face every time a new Grand Theft Auto comes out. It has to be something that’s never been seen before, and our response to it is… Grand Theft Auto is a huge challenge for the team, but Rockstar’s answer is simply to strive for perfection, and we will get there. ”
Each GTA game has pushed the limits, becoming even bigger and better than its predecessor. Additionally, the GTA games are amazingly complete at launch, which can’t be said for many other games. The PC port is also well-optimized, but will take another year or two to launch (on top of the “standard” console wait time).
Aside from the disappointing GTA Definitive Trilogy Remastered a few years ago, Rockstar Games has never released a “bad” or unfinished GTA game. Even the Definitive release was eventually fully fixed in 2024.
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The success of GTA V and GTA Online
The financial success of GTA V, including GTA Online, cannot be overstated. The game generated $8.9 billion in revenue as of March 2024 and $500 million in profit in 2023 from online mode alone. To put things into perspective, Cyberpunk 2077, another high-budget open-world game, “only” grossed $752 million. 4 years have passed since its release.
GTA V’s financial success is primarily due to its microtransactions in online modes and the immense popularity of the franchise, which frequently appears in “Top Plays” lists on all platforms.
GTA Online remains a major revenue stream for Rockstar, so the publisher has every incentive to keep the game alive and feeling fresh, at least until it’s replaced by GTA VI.
Resources that would have gone towards developing the sequel will instead be used to maintain GTA Online. From a business perspective, this makes a lot of sense. It’s safer and easier to take the time to perfect GTA VI and keep current paying customers happy. While GTA Online remains popular, it doesn’t hurt that Rockstar is practically printing money.
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The scale and scope of GTA games
Fans have come to expect a lot from GTA games, perhaps more than any other series (even giants in the field like Mario). It can’t just be an evolution of its predecessor, it has to be a revolution in game design, and it has to be completed with almost no flaws. Things like this take a lot of time and money, especially as the size and scope of games is constantly expanding.
GTA games don’t just feature never-before-seen visuals and intricate animations typical of AAA games of this size. It’s the little details that really bring it to life. The game is known for its dynamic weather and day/night cycles that affect systems such as the number and type of pedestrians you drive and walk, and the wildlife you may encounter.
The radio station has a wealth of tracks, plenty of hidden side missions to discover and activities to take part in, not to mention all the easter eggs, silly NPC interactions, and much more that adds depth to the world. Also includes details. The script and voice actors are top notch.
Growing development challenges
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Creating a GTA game requires a lot of time, money, and highly skilled creative people. While most games focus on one or two standout features, such as story or combat, GTA games strive to recreate the real world and the stories that come with it.
It’s also worth noting that the gaming industry as a whole has grown significantly over the past few years. This is evident from the budget of the GTA entry. San Andreas’ budget is said to have been less than $10 million, GTA IV’s budget was approximately $100 million, and GTA V’s budget was approximately $265 million. Want to guess how much GTA VI will cost to make? Some leaks suggest $2 billion. That’s several times the budget for GTA V, even accounting for inflation.
There’s a lot of money at stake and expectations are very high, which puts a lot of pressure on everyone working on the game. Once the official release date is set, the pressure increases further, work schedules become hectic, and there is a “crisis” to meet the deadline. The Red Dead Redemption 2 development team had to work 100 hours a week to get the game ready on time.
Waiting ten years for a new GTA game isn’t fun, but it’s not all that bad either. Rockstar games are of exceptional quality and remain that quality even years after their release. If history is any indication, GTA VI is likely to be a huge success, so I don’t mind waiting. Plus, there are plenty of other games you can play while waiting for GTA VI.
