As Fall 2025 heralds the long-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), the gaming community must begin to reckon with a post-GTA V reality. Since its original release in 2013, GTA V has been an unprecedented commercial success for the studio, topping 200 million sales and generating billions in revenue for Rockstar Games. When GTA VI looms on the horizon for its next release later this year, many in the gaming industry wonder if 2025 will finally see GTA V knocked off its perch.
Will 2025 Be the Year for GTA VI’s Dominance and the Curtain Call for GTA V?
GTA V ruled the video game world for over a decade. Its seventh, eighth, and ninth years saw increasing revenues each year with revenues worth $1B in years eight and nine. The epidemic had a huge impact on gaming, with people having more time than ever during lockdowns and needing new ways to be entertained. The game’s multiplayer mode, GTA Online, has also been a huge help in retaining players and boosting sales.
The upcoming release of GTA VI is poised to be a monumental event in the entertainment industry. It has more than $1 billion in pre-orders so far, these analysts say, before the eventual release. DFC Intelligence also holds that even with the release of the sequel, as of all vatted releases over 13 months in US retail will still bring in another $2.2 billion in sales revenue for this game.
These predictions are also borne out by the environment of the gaming market, just the same as the situation around GTA V’s release in 2013. The combined hardware sales for these systems come close to console units, now nearly approaching the GTA V account at launch. Similar conditions also point to a vast potential audience to which your new offering can be addressed.
Considering the launch of GTA VI, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see a drop off in player momentum and sales for GTA V. With GTA VI, gamers can be expected to follow the new title, particularly if Rockstar Games incentives them to by offering spoilers or features exclusive to GTA VI. But maybe the legacy of GTA Online will ensure that GTA V has legs as an ongoing platform, as long as Rockstar continues to be dedicated to supporting and iterating on it.
But while 2025 is sure to be a blockbuster year for the Grand Theft Auto franchise in the form of GTA VI, it doesn’t mean that GTA V is done yet. But with the sheer power of its player base and the game’s immense popularity, it could easily live side-by-side with its successor. It will come down to the creative direction at the end of Rockstar Games and the evolving preferences of gamers.
FAQs
When is GTA VI expected to launch?
Rockstar plans to release GTA VI in the fall of 2025 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Will GTA V still be relevant after GTA VI’s release?
GTA V may remain popular due to GTA Online, but its sales are expected to decline.
