Rockstar Confirms GTA 6 Is a 'Single-Player Experience' — What Does This Mean for GTA Online?

Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 is a 'single-player experience,' as stated in a note to IGN and on storefronts where pre-orders are now live. This suggests that the $80 base game does not include any new version of GTA Online, if such a project is in development.

While many assume Rockstar plans to release a new and improved GTA Online down the line, questions remain about how it will be distributed. Will Rockstar offer a new GTA Online for free within GTA 6, or release it as a standalone experience at an additional cost?

Rockstar’s announcements today make it clear that the existing GTA Online remains the focus for now. Digital pre-orders include a free month of GTA+, and Rockstar’s press release highlights GTA Online: 'Experience the dynamic blockbuster GTA Online now with the best way to get the most out of its ever-evolving world. Pre-order any edition of Grand Theft Auto VI on the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store and get one free month of GTA+ — featuring a recurring monthly GTA$500,000 deposit into your GTA Online character's bank account, access to special Shark Cards with 15% bonus GTA$, access to free and discounted GTA Online vehicles, a rotating selection of classic Rockstar Games titles and other featured games in the GTA+ Games Library, and much more.'

Perhaps the lack of a new GTA Online at GTA 6’s launch shouldn’t come as a surprise. GTA Online continues to generate significant revenue for Rockstar and parent company Take-Two, and its availability on PC—where GTA 6 won’t launch day one—will likely sustain its momentum even as GTA 6 arrives on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Last year, IGN asked Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about the future of GTA Online. In his response, he referenced NBA 2K Online, the free-to-play online version of 2K Sports’ basketball franchise aimed at the Asian market. NBA 2K Online launched in 2012, followed by NBA 2K Online 2 in 2017. Both games were maintained simultaneously, allowing fans of the original to continue playing without being left behind.

Zelnick said: 'I'm going to speak theoretically only because I'm not going to talk about a particular project when an announcement hasn't been made. But generally speaking, we support our properties when the consumers are involved with those titles. As an example, we launched NBA 2K Online in China, I think originally in 2012 if I'm not mistaken. And then we launched NBA 2K Online 2 in China in 2017. If I'm not mistaken. We did not sunset Online 1. They both are still in the market and they serve consumers and they're alive and we have this massive audience. So we've shown a willingness to support legacy titles when a community wants to be engaged with them.'

That last line is particularly telling. It suggests—though doesn’t confirm—that if a GTA Online 2 exists, it won’t come at the expense of the original GTA Online. If players continue to engage with GTA Online, Rockstar will likely keep supporting it.

So while a new GTA Online feels inevitable, fans may not want to hold their breath for an immediate release. In the meantime, we have plenty more on GTA 6 following today’s announcement, including confirmation of the price, over 60 new screenshots, and Sony’s claim that GTA 6 'plays best' on PS5.