The Grand Theft Auto series, developed by Rockstar Games, is perhaps one of the most influential and popular franchises in video games. Starting from humble beginnings with the first Grand Theft Auto game, the franchise has popularized the open-world genre, told gripping crime stories, and pushed the limits of what content video games can cover. Despite the numerous controversies the series has sparked, it remains one of the most profitable entertainment products of all time. Although Rockstar has plans to release a remastered version of GTA 5 for current-gen consoles, most gamers are begging Rockstar to give them GTA 6 instead.

It is easy to understand why gamers are far more interested in seeing a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. Although GTA 5 is a phenomenal game, it was originally released in 2013 and has survived for three gaming generations. In comparison, the wait between Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was a mere two years. However, although it is reasonable to get excited about the potential masterpiece Rockstar may release next, it is worthwhile to consider just how much GTA 6 has going against it.

RELATED: Franklin's Evolution From Grand Theft Auto 5 to GTA Online

Rockstar Games Has Changed

rockstar red white blue logo

Rockstar has a track record that most other video game studios have never come close to. While being the creator of the Grand Theft Auto series would be enough for most studios, Rockstar has far more achievements under its belt. The company has brought the world numerous iconic titles such as Bully, as well as highly successful franchises such as Midnight Club, Manhunt, and Red Dead. However, the studio has not remained static, and a lot has changed since the release of GTA 5.

Dan Houser is probably one of the most notable individuals associated with Rockstar Games. He, along with his brother Sam Houser, founded the company. Dan has played a pivotal role in the creative side of the business, and served as Rockstar's vice president of creativity for many years. His writing credits span across several key titles including Bully, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne, and, most importantly, the Grand Theft Auto series. In many ways, the tone, wittiness, and biting satire of the GTA franchise can be attributed to Dan.

In 2020, Dan left Rockstar and instead focused his efforts on his new company, Absurd Ventures LLC. Although reasons for his departure are unknown, his absence will certainly be felt. Should GTA 6 ever be released, gamers could potentially find themselves playing a game with a decidedly different tone compared to previous titles. Whether this will be beneficial or detrimental to the GTA series has yet to be seen, but it is difficult to imagine the core feeling of GTA games not being compromised by a new lead writer. After all, several other franchises such as Saint's Row and True Crime have tried to replicate GTA's style and crass humor with little success.

RELATED: Grand Theft Auto 5 Endings Explained

Rockstar's Focus on Online Gaming May Affect GTA 6

gta online unlock the hangar doors

GTA Online is one of the reasons GTA 5 has enjoyed such a long lifespan. With GTA Online, gamers get to explore Los Santos together while engaging in criminal ventures, entrepreneurial enterprises, high-speed races, and several other activities. The game's economy is kept active by Shark Cards that players can purchase to gain more in-game currency to spend on items that allow them to stand out from the crowd. With GTA Online, players have a potentially endless game to play that is constantly updated with new items to purchase and missions to partake in.

While some gamers may find GTA Online to be a phenomenal game to sink hundreds of hours into, others claim that Rockstar's focus on the game is the reason why GTA 5 received no singleplayer DLC as GTA 4 did. This claim is not without merit, as Rockstar's director of design has stated the following: "the online component had a lot of potential, but to come close to realizing that potential also sucked up a lot of resources." Because of this, Rockstar did not feel that "singleplayer expansions were either possible or necessary."

After seeing the incredible profits GTA Online brought in, it is highly unlikely that Rockstar will release GTA 6 without an accompanying online component. If this is the case, it may spell bad news for the single-player aspect of the game, and gamers looking forward to Rockstar supporting the single-player game with content and DLC in the vein of GTA 4's The Ballad of Gay Tony and The Lost and Damned may be sorely disappointed.

Rockstar Is Not the Only Player in Town Anymore

V in front of Night City

For a long time, one of the appealing factors of the Grand Theft Auto series is how it provides open worlds with unparalleled size and detail. As previously stated, many past franchises have tried to replicate what GTA brings, but none have got it quite right. However, a lot has changed in the gaming world since 2013, and while GTA may have popularized the open-world genre, several other franchises have done a good job of perfecting it.

For gamers looking for an outdoor experience, they can turn to Guerrilla Games' Horizon series which provides picturesque natural environments lush with green foliage, dense forests, desert plains, and awe-inspiring mountains. With Horizon Forbidden West, players will also get to travel underwater and explore marine waterscapes.

For players looking to cause trouble in the city, there is Cyberpunk 2077 with its futuristic Night City where a new adventure is always around the corner. There is also Insomniac's Spider-Man which lets players web-sling across New York as they look for crooks to bust. The options are too numerous to list out, and unless Rockstar Games can produce something unique and revolutionary, GTA 6 may end up being just another open-world game that does nothing but fatigue gamers.

Rockstar has yet to confirm anything about GTA 6, including whether it is coming at all. Despite this, it remains one of the most anticipated games. With all the factors working against it, including mountain-high expectations, GTA 6 will have to be a phenomenal game if it is to please gamers. However, if Rockstar manages to pull it off, it may very well have the game of the generation in its hands.

GTA 6 is rumored to be in production.

MORE: Every Franchise Rockstar Games Has Left Behind for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption