After 13 years, Grand Theft Auto Online might finally be wrapping up its major updates. Grand Theft Auto Online launched in 2013, shortly after the release of Grand Theft Auto 5, serving as that game’s online multiplayer component. Many assumed Grand Theft Auto Online would be a big success, but it blew away all expectations and has helped GTA 5 become one of the most profitable entertainment products of all time.
The success of Grand Theft Auto Online has been both a blessing and a curse for GTA fans. Some have blamed GTA Online for Rockstar not pushing forward with Grand Theft Auto 6 earlier, as it wouldn’t make sense for the studio to abandon such a successful product to work on something new. However, with GTA 6 finally nearing its release, GTA Online seems like it’s finally starting to wrap things up when it comes to major new updates.
GTA Online’s Kortz Center Heist Update is On the Way
Rockstar Games recently detailed GTA Online‘s Kortz Center Heist update, marking the first major heist since The Cayo Perico Heist was added in late 2020. The Kortz Center Heist update will have players plan and execute a museum heist, stealing valuable art that references past Rockstar Games’ works. It’s a substantial update, but also marks the end of an era as it is believed to be the last major update for GTA Online before its successor is released.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
To date, Rockstar Games has not revealed any details about Grand Theft Auto 6‘s online multiplayer mode. However, considering the dizzying success of GTA Online, a multiplayer component for GTA 6 is inevitable. GTA 6 is expected to be strictly a single-player experience at launch, like GTA 5 before it, with online multiplayer added at some point after. It’s unclear if GTA 6 will get online this year or if it will slip into next year, but regardless, its release will mean most resources will be focused on that instead of the existing GTA Online.
That’s not to say Rockstar is going to abandon GTA Online completely. GTA Online is still going to have a huge player count even after GTA 6 launches, and so fans can expect Rockstar to continue releasing updates that address technical problems, and maybe some that even add new cars and other things for players to spend their hard-earned cash on. But the release of the Kortz Center Heist update should mark the first step in Rockstar ultimately phasing out GTA Online so that it can focus its efforts on Grand Theft Auto 6 and its online mode.
Grand Theft Auto fans are anxious for the release of the Kortz Center Heist update because its launch is also likely when Rockstar will really start ramping up GTA 6 marketing. With what is presumed to be the last major GTA Online update out of the way, Rockstar can fully focus on GTA 6, building even more hype for the game by releasing the long-awaited Trailer 3, offering a gameplay deep dive, and eventually showing off the game’s online mode.
- Released
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October 1, 2013
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Rockstar North
- Engine
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Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
