Will GTA Online be shutting down? (Image: ROCKSTAR GAMES)
With Rockstar Games moving very slowly towards the launch of GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, current fans are wondering how GTA Online could be affected.
For those who may not have played it yet, GTA Online is GTA V’s hugely popular multiplayer spin-off.
Released in 2013, GTA Online has grown in active players and ambition every year since then.
The combination of the ability to explore the massive San Andreas map together with friends and foes has made it an enduring success across all compatible platforms.
But with Grand Theft Auto 6 coming out, fans are still wondering if Rockstar Games will be pulling the plug on the services anytime soon.
WILL GTA ONLINE BE EXCLUDED?
The chances of GTA Online servers shutting down for good on PS4, Xbox One, and PC between now and 2023 are unlikely.
With no active releases since Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive rely on GTA Online to produce concurrent releases.
Take-Two has plenty of other franchises to draw from, making it easier for Rockstar Games to focus on supporting GTA Online.
And the multiplayer is so popular with gamers that there would be no reason to shut down servers on PC, PS4, or Xbox One.
The only real reason to shut down GTA Online is if Rockstar Games was about to release a new Grand Theft Auto experience.
If GTA 6 launched next week with its own multiplayer tie-in, Rockstar Games could be tempted to drop support.
But with recent reports suggesting the next Grand Theft Auto won’t be playable until 2025, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to worry about that for now.
The whole idea that Rockstar Games could wait years to release GTA 6 just says how strong GTA Online performs each month.
But while GTA Online isn’t shutting down on PS4, Xbox One, or PC, that doesn’t mean it won’t disappear from other platforms.
Rockstar Games recently confirmed that the original version of GTA Online on PS3 and Xbox 360 will be discontinued on December 16, 2021.
This won’t affect GTA 5’s story mode, but anyone who wants to continue playing multiplayer will need to buy a new console.
Rockstar Games’ full announcement explains: “As we continue to provide updates and support for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto Online – and prepare for this fall’s launch of the new expanded and enhanced versions of Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S – the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of GTA Online, including website stats tracking via the Rockstar Games Social Club, will be officially discontinued in Dec 16 Jan 2021.
In addition, Shark Cash Cards for GTA Online will no longer be sold for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions after September 15, 2021.
“Please note that these changes only affect the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of GTA Online and will not affect access to or progress within Grand Theft Auto V Story Mode.
“In addition, website statistics via the Rockstar Games Social Club and other features for certain PS3 and Xbox 360 titles will be discontinued on September 16, 2021.”
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