As Grand Theft Auto Online moves into 2025, players are experiencing a shift in how Rockstar Games supports the long-running multiplayer experience. With the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, many are questioning what the future holds for GTA Online. While the game remains active, signs indicate it has entered a “maintenance mode” phase, meaning significant content updates are becoming less frequent and more focused on quality-of-life improvements rather than groundbreaking new gameplay mechanics.
A Shift in Content Updates
Rockstar Games has been reducing the scale of updates for GTA Online over the past few years. While earlier expansions like The Contract and Cayo Perico Heist introduced major new missions and businesses, recent additions such as Criminal Enterprises, San Andreas Mercenaries, and LS Drug Wars have been noticeably smaller in scope. This pattern suggests Rockstar is shifting its development resources toward GTA VI, leaving GTA Online with minimal new content moving forward.
The trend isn’t entirely unexpected, as similar support was scaled back for Red Dead Online before official updates all but ceased. Players of Rockstar’s western multiplayer title saw their content gradually dwindle, and now GTA Online appears to be following a similar trajectory. While Rockstar continues to support the game with weekly events and discounts, the days of game-changing expansions seem to be behind us.
Drip-Feed Content and Player Frustration
One of the biggest frustrations among the GTA Online community is how Rockstar spaces out its content. Instead of delivering large updates all at once, Rockstar often drip-feeds content over several months. This method has drawn criticism as it prolongs engagement artificially but often leaves players feeling unsatisfied. Previously, GTA Online updates would introduce 20-30 new vehicles and significant gameplay elements; now, players receive only a handful of cars and missions spread across extended periods.
For example, in 2023, The Chop Shop DLC introduced a major update in December, but some content—such as the Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid—was delayed until the following spring. Similarly, in 2025, players can expect Oscar Guzman Flies Again, featuring five main missions along with repeatable side content similar to police dispatch work. However, the rollout of content remains staggered, limiting the excitement and engagement of new updates.
Rising In-Game Costs and Monetization Concerns
Another point of contention is the continued rise in in-game prices. Many of GTA Online’s newest vehicles and upgrades come with exorbitant price tags, pushing more players toward microtransactions. The Titan 250D and DH7 Iron Mule are just a few recent examples of high-priced vehicles that demand extensive grinding or the purchase of Shark Cards.
In the past, Rockstar would release updates with a steady stream of vehicles over a span of months, ensuring a variety of cars to keep players engaged. Now, the number of new vehicles per update has significantly decreased, making the economy feel more restrictive than ever.
What’s Next for GTA Online?
As GTA VI approaches, it’s becoming increasingly clear that GTA Online’s best days are behind it. While Rockstar will likely keep the servers running for years to come, major content drops are unlikely once GTA VI launches. If the new title does indeed release in 2025, as officially stated (though some insiders suspect a delay to 2026), then the summer DLC could be the last significant update for GTA Online.
Despite this, the community still finds ways to keep the game entertaining. Role-playing servers, custom-made challenges, and casual car meets remain popular activities for those who wish to keep GTA Online alive. Many veteran players suggest taking breaks from the game to avoid burnout, as Rockstar’s current update model doesn’t provide enough regular content to sustain long-term interest.
Final Thoughts
GTA Online is far from dead, but it is undeniably in a transitional phase. Players who adjust their expectations and embrace smaller content updates will still find enjoyment in the game. However, those hoping for a revival of large-scale expansions will likely be disappointed. As Rockstar shifts its focus toward GTA VI, GTA Online’s future remains uncertain—but for now, the game continues to offer an expansive, albeit aging, sandbox experience for players to explore.
