Contained in one of the best selling games of all time is also one of the most profitable online multiplayer games around.
Two years ago was the last time we heard about how successful the microtransaction service was, and GTA Online is still one of, if not the most-played multiplayer game of this generation. Much of its popularity is not only derived from the mode itself, but also the attention and publicity it gets constantly from popular Youtubers, whose videos reach in the millions sometimes within the first day of its upload (similar to Minecraft, though less so). The next step should be for GTA Online to be made its own separate download and available as a F2P title. With this should probably come the regular(ish) updates that are currently provided, but also the opportunity for user generated content to be expanded and prioritized, something like the current Team Fortress 2 model. With the release of this, Rockstar could also release versions of GTAV that include special GTA Online content or Shark Cash Cards to keep the paid game relevant. They should probably release it when GTAV is at a steady decline, but probably not before it starts to lose relevance on Youtube and inside it's own community.
Not that Rockstar is hurting for cash, but this would be a very easy and popular way to get extra funds and life out of GTA Online before they release GTAVI and the eventual GTA Online 2 later in the generation.
Two years ago was the last time we heard about how successful the microtransaction service was, and GTA Online is still one of, if not the most-played multiplayer game of this generation. Much of its popularity is not only derived from the mode itself, but also the attention and publicity it gets constantly from popular Youtubers, whose videos reach in the millions sometimes within the first day of its upload (similar to Minecraft, though less so). The next step should be for GTA Online to be made its own separate download and available as a F2P title. With this should probably come the regular(ish) updates that are currently provided, but also the opportunity for user generated content to be expanded and prioritized, something like the current Team Fortress 2 model. With the release of this, Rockstar could also release versions of GTAV that include special GTA Online content or Shark Cash Cards to keep the paid game relevant. They should probably release it when GTAV is at a steady decline, but probably not before it starts to lose relevance on Youtube and inside it's own community.
Not that Rockstar is hurting for cash, but this would be a very easy and popular way to get extra funds and life out of GTA Online before they release GTAVI and the eventual GTA Online 2 later in the generation.