To say that Grand Theft Auto is wildly successful would be a gross understatement. Years after Grand Theft Auto 5's release, Grand Theft Auto Online continues to pull in new players and retain those who have spent years in the game. A new report shows just how true that is. Grand Theft Auto Online's recent Cayo Perico Heist DLC release apparently isn't just a wild success. It's also led to Grand Theft Auto Online's highest monthly digital earnings ever.
The report comes from Nielson industry reporting agency Superdata. In Superdata's report on December's digital games market, Grand Theft Auto Online is said to achieved digital earnings never achieved before in the game's seven-year lifespan. Digital revenue for Grand Theft Auto Online has been growing significantly for Rockstar in 2020, so a record month isn't unexpected. Regardless, it's an impressive achievement that will be difficult for Rockstar to manage again in Grand Theft Auto Online's remaining time.
Exact data on Rockstar's revenue isn't available, but Superdata does note that player totals grew month-to-month by 46% between November and December. However, despite the growth, Grand Theft Auto Online apparently didn't match the total player numbers achieved earlier in 2020. It just goes to show that the Cayo Perico DLC may not have reinvigorated the playerbase in record fashion but did monetize the existing playerbase in ways that Rockstar has never been able to do before.
Even having its record month for digital earnings, Superdata rankings show that Grand Theft Auto 5 wasn't topping any charts. Grand Theft Auto 5, which includes Grand Theft Auto Online, was listed as fourth overall for console games in December 2020. Even a record month in digital revenue can't compare to the success of major game launches like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, NBA 2K21, and Cyberpunk 2077. Grand Theft Auto 5 did outdo Fortnite and FIFA 21, at least.
The incredible thing is that the Cayo Perico DLC was released for Grand Theft Auto Online for free. That means that players weren't paying for the DLC itself, but rather for the currency to purchase all of Grand Theft Auto Online's other various microtransactions.
Having accomplished such an impressive record in 2021, Grand Theft Auto fans may now see why Rockstar is in no hurry to announce Grand Theft Auto 6. Releasing a new game right now, especially if Grand Theft Auto 6 features its own iteration of Grand Theft Auto Online, would seriously undercut the ongoing success of the Grand Theft Auto 5 online multiplayer. Rockstar's going to make the most of Grand Theft Auto Online's continued success.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Superdata