Take-Two CEO Backs Legacy Games as GTA Online Faces Uncertainty

As Grand Theft Auto 6's 2025 release draws near, many GTA Online players wonder what will become of the current multiplayer experience. With Rockstar's flagship live-service game still thriving over ten years after launch, its future remains uncertain despite persistent fan speculation.

GTA Online's remarkable longevity and revenue generation reportedly shifted Rockstar's focus from story expansions to sustained online support for GTA 5. However, anticipation grows around whether the upcoming sequel will introduce a completely separate multiplayer platform or evolve the existing framework.

Longtime players express concerns about potential discontinuation of support for the current version, fearing years of progress and purchases might become obsolete. This raises legitimate questions about continuing investments in GTA Online during early 2025 when a next-generation iteration could arrive within months.

IGN recently posed this exact question to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick ahead of their financial disclosures. While avoiding direct comments on unannounced projects, he pointed to NBA 2K Online as precedent - where both original (2012) and sequel (2017) versions continue operating concurrently in Asian markets.

Will You Keep Playing GTA Online After GTA 6's Launch?

Absolutely - The original GTA Online still satisfies meNo - I'm ready to embrace whatever comes nextUndecided (share your thoughts below!)

AnswerSee Results

Zelnick emphasized Take-Two's philosophy: "We've demonstrated commitment to maintaining legacy titles when communities remain actively engaged." This suggests GTA Online could persist alongside any potential successor, provided player activity justifies continued support.

The parallel with NBA 2K Online illustrates how Take-Two manages franchise transitions - where older iterations aren't automatically discontinued upon sequel releases. This historical approach provides cautious optimism for GTA Online loyalists.

"We continue supporting properties when players remain invested," Zelnick explained carefully. "Our Chinese NBA Online games coexisted successfully - both serving distinct audiences years after sequels launched."

While Rockstar hasn't officially detailed GTA 6's multiplayer plans beyond its confirmed fall 2025 launch window, these executive insights suggest player engagement will ultimately determine the original GTA Online's lifespan. With Borderlands 4 potentially preceding GTA 6's September debut, further official announcements may clarify these uncertainties sooner rather than later.