Not many would argue against Rockstar Games being one of the most prolific video game companies in the industry, as it holds several major video game properties under its belt: Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Bully, and perhaps even further back, Manhunt, Midnight Club, and so many more. Nowadays, however, those who think of Rockstar Games think of one of the first three. This is partially due to the company's acute adaptation and reinventions over the year.
For example, Rockstar Games was known for high-profile single-player DLC for the longest time, including Red Dead Redemption's Undead Nightmare, and had plans to do a big DLC for GTA 5 as well. It quickly realized the success of GTA 5 was moreso tied to GTA Online than any thing else, though, and by adapting to the changing times, GTA 5 became the most profitable entertainment product of all time.
Even further back, many may remember the large Rockstar Games logo on Midnight Club, an incredibly popular racing game, but the publisher hasn't put out a racing game since Midnight Club: Los Angeles in 2008. All of this is to look ahead and ask: how will its next reinvention take place and what does this mean for Grand Theft Auto 6?
Grand Theft Auto 6: Rockstar's History
With the massive popularity of Grand Theft Auto 5, a game that tops sales charts to this day, it seems highly likely that Grand Theft Auto 6 is a legitimate thing. Nothing is confirmed, but there are plenty of rumors out there that purport its existence. However, many may take note that the last game released 7 years ago, and it's not likely Grand Theft Auto 6 releases this year. Rockstar has a reputation for taking its time and producing high-quality games; looking back at the history of its biggest franchises has some interesting implications about that.
Bully, for example as the shortest, has been re-release a couple of times with new editions, but it originally came out in 2006. Come October, it will have been 14 years with no follow-up sequel. Red Dead Revolver, however disconnected from Red Dead Redemption it may be, originally came out in 2004. Red Dead Redemption follow 6 years later in 2010, and RDR 2 followed suit in 2019.
By comparison, Grand Theft Auto is Rockstar's longest-running franchise to date. It first published Grand Theft Auto 2 in 1999 (the first GTA was first published by BMG Interactive before it became part of Rockstar Games), followed by GTA 3 in 2001, Vice City in 2002, San Andreas in 2004, Liberty City Stories in 2005, Vice City Stories in 2006, Grand Theft Auto 4 in 2008 (DLC followed), Chinatown Wars in 2009, and Grand Theft Auto 5 in 2013. In short, 2006 Rockstar is far different from 2010 Rockstar, which is an even further cry from 2020 Rockstar.
What to take note of here is how the spin-off titles eventually fell to the wayside, alongside the major slowdown in numbered titles. GTA hasn't really been affected by this yet, but that day may eventually come. From 2 years, it jumps to 7 between numbered titles, which is the same time frame the jump from Grand Theft Auto 5 to 6 would be if it released this year. Again, that's unlikely. Slowly but surely, Grand Theft Auto turned from a wave of content into something more consolidated like the Red Dead series.
What This Means for Grand Theft Auto 6
Red Dead Redemption still has more stories to tell, but it's unlikely they are told soon. Fans have been clamoring for a sequel to Bully for near half-a-decade to no avail. There are rumors that Rockstar Games is working on a new IP, and there are several projects like Bully 2, Red Dead Redemption 3, and so on that'll likely left to the wayside, as is the case with many of the aforementioned older projects. That's not to say it would be those precisely, per se, but as Rockstar Games moves forward, it'll almost assuredly reinvent itself again.
What that means exactly remains to be seen, but without spin-offs, an unlikely future for GTA single-player DLC, and an increasing online popularity, one has to wonder when it'll come to an end. GTA 6 is practically a must for the company, but Grand Theft Auto 7, 8, or 9? The question becomes when does it end, what becomes of these old and new projects. A strong Grand Theft Auto 6 to follow GTA 5 would be the perfect sunset for the franchise, as while it's popularity may be at its height, it seems uncertain if that kind of momentum could be maintained for the next few decades at the current rate. A rumored GTA 6 in the next couple of years sounds much better than Grand Theft Auto 7 in 2030 or beyond, for example.
Of course, Rockstar could just reinvent itself again and put the gaming world on its heads. Houser's departure may be shocking and will inevitably evoke changes, but that's not a bad thing. A new Rockstar, that would not be surprising either, not with as often as the company has shifted and really focused in on something.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to be in development.