GTA Online to coexist with GTA VI, confirms Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick

Sequels in live-service gaming typically result in the closure of previous titles. However, as Rockstar Games prepares to launch Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19, 2026, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that the original Grand Theft Auto Online will remain active. During the company’s Q3 2026 earnings call, Zelnick dismissed speculation that the title would be retired.

Financial performance and continuity

Zelnick reaffirmed his confidence in the longevity of the original GTA Online, citing plans for continued support. Recent financial reports support this decision. Despite the game’s age, recurrent consumer spending grew by 27% year-over-year. This growth followed the “A Safehouse in the Hills” update, which introduced new properties and characters.

Key data points from the Q3 report include:

• Sales: GTA V has surpassed 225 million units sold.
• Monetization: User spending rose by 27% in the last quarter.
• Release Timing: GTA VI is scheduled for November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Strategic Logic Publishers typically migrate audiences to new platforms to maximize initial engagement. However, GTA Online generates significant revenue, making its continuation a financial necessity. This strategy addresses two realities:

1. Hardware Limitations: GTA VI will launch exclusively on current-generation consoles. Maintaining the original game ensures active revenue from players on older hardware.
2. Player Investment: After a decade of play, users have accumulated significant in-game assets. Maintaining the original ecosystem prevents alienating high-spending players who might resist a hard reset.

The role of subscriptions

The GTA Plus subscription service is a primary pillar of this strategy, with membership levels doubling year-over-year. By 2026, GTA Plus has evolved into a cross-title pass. Rockstar will likely use this service to incentivize the transition by offering rewards that bridge the two games.

Potential Risks

Managing two global live-service games simultaneously presents challenges:

• Resource Allocation: Developers may shift focus entirely to GTA VI, potentially reducing the quality of updates for the original version.
• Platform Disparity: Because GTA VI launches exclusively on consoles, the PC community will remain limited to the original title for an unspecified period.
• Maintenance Mode: Support may eventually shift to basic server maintenance rather than new content innovation as users migrate to the newer title.

Check out this comprehensive breakdown of GTA rumors to see how the community is preparing for the shift. This video is relevant as it provides a deep dive into the current state of GTA Plus and what players expect from the upcoming transition.

Sources: kotaku, Rockstar Games, YouTube