Even after years seven years, Grand Theft Auto 5 is still going strong, partially thanks to the success of GTA Online. GTA 5 has become the most profitable entertainment product of all time, not just video games. The online component being something that is continually supported by Rockstar Games is a huge reason for the game's profitability, and it looks like there were some really cool ideas that were cut from the Summer content.
The Grand Theft Auto Online Los Santos Summer Special update provided new cars, yacht missions, mods, collectibles, and more, but according to a data mining leak, the update apparently had some vehicle-related content that was sent to the scrapyard.
Twitter user @WildBrick142 sent out a flurry of tweets recently about vehicle-related content that didn't make the final cut for the Summer update in GTA Online. The datamining includes new mod parts, audio files, vehicle components, and more.
As far as modifications go, it looks like a roof scoop and bed mods were some of the neater things cut from the table, including mods named "Rusty Bed," "Rubber Anti-Skid Bed," "Chrome Anti-Skid Bed," and "Light Wood Bed." Images of the in-game item are provided for some of the leaks. The sheer amount of detail in the content that hasn't even been released is a part of the reason why GTA5's lifetime sales are so insane.
There are also unused engine parts, including an exhaust that was to be a part of the Supercharger. New paint jobs, custom bumpers, and hood variations are all also a part of the leak, showing that the find by @WildBrick142 is extensive, to say the least. Ongoing content like this, released and unreleased, is how Rockstar can justify bringing GTA Online to next-gen consoles.
With Grand Theft Auto 5 being released on next-gen consoles, with new exclusive content, Rockstar may end up supporting GTA Online for around a decade. Among online games with firey starts that flame out and huge monumental successes like Fortnite, it's impressive that Rockstar has created such a loved experience and kept it alive for so long.
Eventually, Grand Theft Auto 6 will be released, and it's difficult to say whether or not GTA6 will find the same success as GTA5. The sales success of GTA has not always been sequential with the release of the titles, with a game like GTA: San Andreas outperforming GTA4. Perhaps the series will come back to earth, but with the online formula Rockstar has put forth with GTA5, it has a nice blueprint to follow.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, and will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2021.