What happens to GTA Online when GTA 6 releases?

Even though there hasn’t been a new GTA game in more than 10 years, the franchise definitely didn’t fade out. This is mostly thanks to GTA Online. This online multiplayer version of GTA V is immensely popular and receives regular updates from the Rockstar team.

But what will happen to GTA Online when GTA 6 launches?

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In an interview that IGN did with the Take-Two boss, Strauss Zelnick, they asked what’ll happen to GTA Online when GTA 6 launches. The answer: “Generally speaking, we support our properties when the consumers are involved with those titles.” The Take-Two boss then made the comparison with NBA 2K Online 2, saying that both the Online 1 and Online 2 versions of the game are on the market and both have ‘massive audiences’.

Zelnick finished the statement with: “We've shown a willingness to support legacy titles when a community wants to be engaged with them.” So if we follow this statement, there’s a big possibility that GTA Online will get a second version somewhere along the line.

Promotional artwork for GTA Online featuring a man with a headset, a red-haired woman with a weapon, and a military aircraft flying through an explosion. The Grand Theft Auto Online logo appears in the top left.

In the statement Zelnick gave to IGN, it seems like Rockstar is willing to release a GTA Online 2, but also keep the original GTA Online up. Does that mean we get 2 up-to-date online GTA universes? Well, fans on Reddit don’t seem to think so. Most players agree that there’ll be a new GTA Online with the release of GTA VI, but they also think the original won’t stick around.

This makes sense, as more players dive into GTA 6, they’ll most likely also move to the newer version of GTA Online. In the beginning, both games might receive updates, but as the player base moves on, the older version will receive less and less support. Whether or not Rockstar will eventually completely shut off GTA V Online, we’ll have to wait and see.

A man in a red jersey holding a baseball bat confronts two men inside a car in a dark alley. One man in the car looks back cautiously. Graffiti covers the alley walls, creating a tense urban scene from GTA Online.

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We already know that GTA 6 returns to Vice City, which means the game will have a completely new map. If Rockstar does make a new GTA Online, it’s highly likely that the game will be linked to the new GTA game, and that means it’ll probably also have a new map. But of course we can’t say anything for certain on this yet.

Grand Theft Auto Online logo overlaid on a fictional map labeled "Project Americas," possibly hinting at a future game setting including locations like the Bermuda Triangle.

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Is there really going to be a GTA Online 2? And what will the game look like when it releases? Aside from the statement Zelnick gave to IGN, Rockstar hasn’t released any information on what their plan is for the online multiplayer version of the game.

Since there’s no official information on this, fans don’t think that a potential new version of GTA Online will drop on the same day as GTA VI. This makes sense. First of all, because Rockstar would want players to finish the story of GTA 6 first, before diving into the online world. But secondly because the game should be almost perfect upon release. We all remember the rocky launch GTA V Online had when it first released. A repetition of this with GTA VI Online would definitely anger fans. So it makes sense that Rockstar absolutely wants to take its time and be ready before releasing the new version of GTA Online.

A classic car drives through a sunlit city street in GTA Online. Text overlay reads: "This is the current GTA Online. There's still no Gameplay for the new GTA Online."

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GTA 6 Release Date

GTA VI is getting closer. Wondering when it’s dropping, how much it'll cost, or which consoles you can play it on? We’ve rounded up all the must-know details. Don’t miss the latest GTA 6 updates!

View GTA 6 Release Date

GTA History

From humble beginnings to one of the biggest gaming franchises, Grand Theft Auto has an impressive history! GTA had quite the impact on the gaming scene and laid the blueprint for what crime-based games should be.

View GTA 6 History

GTA 6 Story & Map

In GTA 6 we’ll follow the bank robbers Lucia and Jason, who are supposedly modern Bonnie and Clyde. Lucia will be the first playable female character in GTA history. The game is set in Vice City, with a map that’s supposedly twice the size of GTA 5.

View GTA 6 Story & Map

GTA Shark Cash Cards

Counting down the days to GTA VI? Level up your GTA Online game with Shark Cash Cards from Startselect. Instant cash, endless chaos. Grab your Shark Card now!

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GTA Shark Cash Cards

Counting down the days to GTA VI? Level up your GTA Online game with Shark Cash Cards from Startselect. Instant cash, endless chaos. Grab your Shark Card now!

View GTA Shark Cash Cards

Want to know more about GTA Online, and what will happen to this game when GTA VI launches? Check the frequently asked questions below.

Can I carry over my GTA Online progress?

Since we don’t know what the new GTA Online might look like or what we can expect from it, there’s no news on what will happen to your progress when the new GTA potentially drops. Maybe there’ll be an option to transfer your account over to the new game (like with Overwatch 2) or maybe you’ll have to start over from scratch. We’ll have to wait until there’s more news to give a real answer on this.

Will the new GTA Online support cross-play?

The current GTA V Online does not support cross-play. If this feature will become available in a potential new GTA VI Online, we don’t know yet.

Will GTA Online be free with GTA VI?

Fans are divided on whether Rockstar will sell a new GTA Online separately from GTA 6. Some seem to think GTA won’t be free to play with GTA 6. If this is true, it’ll be the first time Rockstar sells the online version separately from the base game. However, these are all rumours! No official information about GTA Online and whether it will be free with GTA 6 has been revealed.

Will Shark Cards return in GTA Online 2?

Shark Cards are a big part of the current GTA Online. Whether this digital payment option returns in a new GTA Online, is not known yet.

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GTA 6 Gameplay: Everything We Know So Far

After years of rumours, trailers and speculation, we finally have a much clearer picture of what GTA 6 will actually play like. Rockstar’s new Extended Look revealed a huge amount of gameplay detail, from the completely reworked Wanted system and deeper character simulation to Jason and Lucia’s relationship, new activities and a far more reactive Leonida. Here’s everything we know so far about GTA 6 gameplay, features, characters, vehicles and more.

GTA 6: Everything we know so far

GTA 6 is coming in 2026. Curious what we know so far about the game? In this blog, we’ve gathered all the key information for you – from release details to the trailer and more.

GTA 6 leaks: latest rumours and timeline

Over the years, there have been a lot of GTA 6 leaks. What was right and what was wrong? Check our timeline of all the most important GTA 6 leaks there have been so far, and also an overview of the latest rumours.

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What happens to GTA Online when GTA 6 releases?

Will there be a new GTA Online 2.0?

Will there be two GTA Online games?

Will the new GTA Online have a new map?