As GTA 6’s development continues, Rockstar finds itself having to make decisions that may not be the most pleasant for both the company and gamers. The company will have to wave goodbye to beloved games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5 as it focuses on GTA 6, which may be a bittersweet farewell. Furthermore, if recent leaks are to be believed, the company has also had to abandon some of its more overambitious ideas for the sake of its team and the upcoming game.
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Rockstar Says Goodby to Grand Theft Auto 5
A lot of resources were invested into Grand Theft Auto 5. Development of the game began in 2008, around the release of Grand Theft Auto 4. Rather than delegate the project to one of Rockstar’s internal studios, many of its global studios worked together, resulting in a team of over 1,000 employees involved with GTA 5’s development. Plenty of money was spent on the project, with analysts putting estimates between $137 million and $265 million, making it one of the most expensive games developed at the time of its release in 2013. As part of research for the game, some team members traveled to Los Angeles, which Los Santos is inspired by. Over a quarter of a million photographs were taken, and several experts were consulted, including FBI agents and mafia experts. With this research, developers were able to create a world that is not a perfect replica of Los Angeles, but manages to capture its essence.
With all the time and money that Rockstar put into GTA 5, it is understandable that the company would want to see a healthy return on its investment. This, in part, explains why Rockstar has milked the game, along with its online counterpart, for so many years, and even released GTA 5 across three consecutive console generations. However, with over 170 million copies sold globally, and an estimated $6 billion in profits, it is hard to argue that Rockstar has not reaped everything it deserves from its labor.
Despite Rockstar’s attachment to GTA 5, it appears that the company is finally ready to move on to the next era of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Recently, Rockstar posted a thank-you note on its site, and it is addressed to everyone who worked on the game from 2013 until the present day. The note is followed by an impressively long list of credits, and this seems to suggest that GTA 5’s chapter has come to an end, as credits usually come at the end of events. Leaving GTA 5 is likely a hard move for Rockstar and, judging by the game’s seldom decelerating sales, it will be tough for gamers, too. However, it is a necessary step to ensure Grand Theft Auto 6’s success. With Rockstar’s focus off of GTA 5, it can finally focus all its resources on the next game to ensure that it can surpass the high bar established by its predecessor.
Rockstar Decides to Scale Down
Though Rockstar has not revealed much about GTA 6 outside of letting gamers know that it is on the way, a steady stream of rumors and alleged leaks have kept discussion around the game alive. Perhaps the most trustworthy source of information has come from Jason Schreier who, reporting for Bloomberg, has revealed a lot about Rockstar’s evolution and GTA 6’s development. According to Schreier, Rockstar originally had plans to feature both North America and South America in GTA 6. However, developers eventually decided to scale down and focus on just Miami instead. This is not a new location for the GTA franchise, as it serves as the inspiration for Vice City, which has appeared in multiple GTA games.
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If Schreier’s reporting is accurate, then GTA 6’s map will be smaller than what was initially intended, and like prior games, players will be mostly limited to a single region. However, this may be yet another hard but ultimately beneficial decision. Scaling things down prevents the game from being stuck in development hell, ensuring that it will make it to store shelves within the next few years. Schreier also claimed that GTA 6 has been in development since 2014, and some developers are frustrated with the slow progress being made on the game’s development. The solution to this may be to give up on unrealistic ideas in favor of more down-to-earth but accomplishable goals.
The map that players get at GTA 6’s launch may not be the final one, as Schreier also claims that Rockstar will update the upcoming game with new missions and cities over time. This is perhaps the best solution, as it ensures that the game will have longevity and alleviates developers from having to suffer through crunch time. GTA 4 illustrated just how impressive Grand Theft Auto DLC can be, and if Rockstar can replicate the highs of The Lost and Damned with GTA 6’s DLC, it is bound to be a hit.
Analysts predict that Grand Theft Auto 6 should arrive sometime in 2024, which is over a decade since GTA 5’s initial launch. The game will come from a Rockstar which has reportedly drastically transformed and has left behind its frat-boy culture for a more progressive outlook. Though GTA 6 will likely be different from its predecessors, Rockstar appears to be making the best decisions for it to succeed.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently in development.
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