TheGrand Theft Autofranchise has transformed significantly over the years. Even dismissing the shift from a top-down action-adventure franchise to third-person open worlds, the modern incarnation ofGrand Theft Autois changing year to year.Grand Theft Auto Onlinehas become a major priority for Rockstar, to the point that single-player DLC has been seemingly abandoned. However, Rockstar said it does still plan to continue creatingsingle-playerGTAexperiencesgoing forward.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Rockstar’s Director of Design Tarek Hamad laid out that the studio is not abandoning single-player, despite appearances. When asked if Rockstar will continue to tell single-player stories, Hamad said, “Absolutely.” While he didn’t elaborate in any way, it’s safe to assume he means something akin to main game releases having single-player campaigns. WhileGrand Theft Auto Onlinemay be Rockstar’s post-launch focus,Grand Theft Auto 5still came first.
RELATED:GTA Online Players Disappointed By Lack of Perico Heist Free Roam
With that said, Rockstar doesn’t deny how muchGrand Theft Auto Onlinehas become the company’s focus outside of major releases in the franchise. If anything,Rockstarcontinues to contribute to the idea thatGrand Theft Auto Onlineisn’t just the present of the franchise, but also its future. Rockstar Design Director Scott Butchard describes how withGTA Online, players can expect to see “more of that single-player element in there.”
Butchard discussedGrand Theft Auto Online’s recent patch, which added theCayo Perico Heist. The Cayo Perico content can be played by one person, but isn’t necessarily a single-player experience. Still, it is thick with unique content and storytelling that’s clearly been informed by Rockstar’s single-player design experience. ForGrand Theft Autofans hoping for single-player DLC, the Cayo Perico Heist update maybe as close as Rockstar will get inGrand Theft Auto Online.
What’s next forGrand Theft Auto 5andGrand Theft Auto Onlineis unclear, but if the success of the Cayo Perico Heist update is any indication, there will likely be more of the same.Grand Theft Auto Onlinecontent that can be played single-player or multiplayer, as well as have heavy monetization, may just become the norm going forward.
Rockstar’s adoration for post-launch DLC inGrand Theft Autoshouldn’t damper expectations forGrand Theft Auto 6, however. While Rockstar has yet to make any announcements, a sequel with a single-player campaign is the one thing fans who don’t want multiplayer can hopefully look forward to, even if it may be years away.
Grand Theft Auto Onlineis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
