Ten years ago today, Grand Theft Auto V was released and became an unprecedented success. It quickly became the fastest entertainment product to make $1 billion and remains the most profitable game ever made. GTA V has sold a staggering 185 million copies and generated $8 billion in revenue for publisher Take-Two. Despite its immense success, fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment, but it has been the longest gap in the franchise’s history.
GTA has always provided players with vast recreations of US cities to explore, such as Vice City and Liberty City. Developer Rockstar Games used to release new games every couple of years, but the gap between GTA V and its sequel is much longer. There are several reasons for this, including the ever-increasing scope of the games. Rockstar’s teams around the world now work together on projects, resulting in larger and more detailed worlds that take longer to create. Red Dead Redemption 2, released in 2018, took eight years to develop and involved around 2,000 people, with estimated costs between $170 million to $240 million.
Another factor contributing to the longer wait for GTA 6 is Rockstar’s efforts to improve working conditions and reduce “crunch culture.” Reports have surfaced about employees working long hours to meet deadlines, leading to a push for a healthier work environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected development schedules, causing delays and disruptions. Despite these challenges, GTA V has remained popular due to its online multiplayer mode and re-releases on newer consoles and PC.
One aspect that has made GTA so successful is its satirical portrayal of American culture. The game has tackled topics such as police brutality, gun rights, and consumerism, going beyond what most other games dare to do. However, in a post-Trump world where reality often surpasses satire, writing satire for GTA 6 has become more complicated. The game’s writers have had to grapple with the difficulty of satirizing a world that has become increasingly absurd and unpredictable.
GTA 6 also faced a major setback when it fell victim to a massive leak last year. Numerous videos showing gameplay elements were posted online, forcing Rockstar to address the breach. While the leak was disappointing, the company assured fans that it would not impact the game’s development.
Overall, the anticipation for GTA 6 remains high, and fans eagerly await the next installment in the iconic franchise.