Despite gamers across the globe begging Rockstar to reveal Grand Theft Auto VI, it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. The developer is clearly focused on maintaining its most lucrative title yet in GTA Online, and that includes dragging the game onto its third generation of consoles.
However, milking GTA V's online multiplayer mode to this extent needs some justification, otherwise it's going to boil down to an insult of our intelligence. Obviously GTA Online makes the company tons of money, but some new features that fall in line with a new generation of consoles can separate the move from simply being a shameless cash grab.
Rockstar has done a fairly decent job of keeping GTA Online relevant, although nothing since the original Heists update has done much to really give the platform an overhaul. Now, with the release of the Xbox Series X and the PS5 on the horizon, it's the perfect time to breathe some new life into the game. Here's how that can be done.
In-Game Events
Games like Fortnite and Destiny 2 have proven that hosting live in-game events can be a great way to foster player participation and renew interest in a long running title. GTA Online has the potential to offer plenty of options like this, and there's no reason why a live event can't take place in Los Santos on the next-gen.
Picture a tornado or a hurricane ravaging the game's map. Certain buildings and landmarks could be destroyed, finally adding some change to Los Santos. Players could interact with the natural disaster, and even be given tasks or event-related missions to complete while this is taking place. Just imagine flying your Deluxo straight into a tornado.
Even something as simple as a prison break would bring a ton of energy to the game. Players could be given missions to assist escaped prisoners or help the FIB capture some of the most dangerous ones. Seeing prisoners on the run while attacking other players or NPCs would definitely provide for some entertainment value.
Finally, it would be incredible to see Rockstar capitalize on the GTA alien war, and host some sort of alien invasion event. This could provide brand new extraterrestrial weapons, and the game could even host massive PvE missions where a group of players must take down a horde of aliens, similar to the GTA 5 Strangers and Freaks mission.
Larger Lobbies
When Grand Theft Auto V was originally released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, GTA Online lobbies were limited to 16 players at a time. Then, after the game's port to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, lobby size was increased to 30 players. With yet another generation coming soon, it only makes sense that lobby size be increased yet again.
Granted, with the game's current griefing problem (players with powerful vehicles constantly taking out other players for the fun of it), a larger lobby could cause issues. That being said, if Rockstar can find a way to make this work, perhaps by offering a couple of options, a 60-player lobby would fully utilize the potential of next-gen consoles, and it would set the stage for some pretty crazy in-game encounters.
An Evolving Map
Since 2013, Los Santos has experienced very little change. Even construction sites have been sitting there for seven years now, seeing virtually no progress. A feature that would really justify the next generation of GTA Online would be an updated map of Los Santos that actually evolves over time.
We know that Rockstar has experimented with this technology by looking at Red Dead Redemption 2. Over the course of the game's story, several buildings are slowly built from the ground up, and each of the map's cities and towns experience some sort of subtle change.
If we were to see this feature brought to Los Santos, it would continually give players reason to log back in to see what has changed. Those construction sites could finally be finished, and each new update would actually come with some significance.
An evolving map that changes alongside in-game events would truly give GTA Online that next generation feeling. It's been working for Fortnite pretty damn well, and Rockstar should take note. In fact, there's no doubt that it would attract many players who haven't touched the game in years.
While there's no guarantee that Rockstar will look to include any of these features with the next generation of GTA Online, one can certainly hold out hope. Some significant updates such as these would truly breathe new life into the seven-year-old game, and would certainly work to justify Rockstar's continued delay of a GTA VI announcement.