Grand Theft Auto is typically controversial for its content for one reason or another, but not typically for major technical issues, bugs, or graphics—anything like that. And it’s because Rockstar Games has a reputation for extremely long development cycles, extended periods between games, and yet a level of quality almost unparalleled in the industry. Grand Theft Auto 6 may be years away, for example, but patient fans know they’ll be treated with a great game.
GTA Trilogy, on the other hand, isn’t it. Many were shocked and surprised by the launch of the GTA Trilogy, as it was temporarily removed from PC, filled with bugs and odd issues like misspellings, has dark graphics and associated issues, and far more. Early on, some expressed concern over the direction and graphics, but it was a step up—so it seemed. But its launch soured many fans to the extent some have called Rockstar Games and the GTA Trilogy the new CD Projekt Red and Cyberpunk 2077. There are, at least, a few reasons that this comparison is faulty.
GTA Trilogy vs. Cyberpunk 2077
First off, on a small note, it has to be pointed out that GTA Trilogy wasn’t developed by Rockstar Games, just published by it. The developer itself is Grove Street Games, and while this is important to note, it doesn’t excuse Rockstar Games’ role in the release of GTA Trilogy. But it’s worth noting that the Rockstar Games that worked on RDR2 and GTA 5 didn’t likely touch GTA Trilogy—unlike how CD Projekt Red definitely worked on Cyberpunk 2077.
That’s a minor, if important detail, but the next one is obvious: each company’s reputation is incredibly different. While some could argue that GTA Trilogy puts Rockstar’s reputation on the line, that’s a bit drastic. Every developer/publisher is going to have a bad game launch at some point, and the release of GTA Trilogy proves something many should already be aware of: any game in the industry can flop—technologically or financially. CD Projekt Red, as popular as the company is, still doesn’t have the reputation of Rockstar.
Many will hail The Witcher 3 as the greatest game of all time, but it too was filled with bugs, and Cyberpunk 2077 just took it to the extreme. CD Projekt Red built its reputation off the Witcher series alone and fumbled it with its second IP ever; meanwhile, Rockstar has proven itself time and again, and has a history of great IPs (Bully, Manhunt, Midnight Club, L.A. Noire) even if they have all been effectively ditched for Red Dead and GTA.
Now, that’s not to say that Rockstar can fumble GTA 6 or Red Dead 3 (because, as mentioned before, anything in the industry COULD flop) and be okay, but that this isn’t quite the snub some are painting it to be. GTA Trilogy was a bad launch—some could even argue that it’s one of the worst launches from fan perception in Rockstar history—but it’s not Cyberpunk 2077-level bad. CD Projekt Red’s reputation went down the drain because it didn’t have enough goodwill to survive such a massive onslaught, yet Rockstar has a long history of delivering quality games.
The Future of GTA
GTA Trilogy isn’t a death blow to Rockstar’s reputation by any means, but now to prevent this issue from spiraling even further, Rockstar will likely need to very well consider the future of the franchise. GTA 5 Enhanced and Expanded upset many fans with its last trailer, as not much has seemingly changed. Rockstar will want to make sure that this launch is head and shoulders better than this one, and it will likely need to pack the GTA Online standalone release with celebrations and content.
Perhaps even a proper GTA 6 tease for the first time would be a good marketing move, but the bottom line is that Rockstar took a hit, not one anywhere near as bad as Cyberpunk 2077 though, and it needs to deliver on its content from letting that hit expand. Looking at the future of GTA, deciding how to improve it quickly, and utilizing it effectively may be the best way after the GTA Trilogy, but again, one bad launch is not a death knell for Rockstar.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.