Grand Theft Auto Online Is Going Offline On Older Consoles
Nothing lasts forever in the world of video games, (well, try telling Skyrim that), and now, it's the end of an era for Grand Theft Auto Online. While Rockstar Games' massive online multiplayer has been going great guns for the past eight years, it's being taken offline on some systems.
By the time Rockstar released GTA V in 2013, the GTA franchise had already been racing the streets of San Andreas for 16 years. However, while GTA Online started as a simple mode tacked on to the main campaign of GTA V, it's since grown into a beast of its own.
Why Is Rockstar Shutting Down GTA Online Servers?
In just three days (December 16), the GTA Online servers will officially be given the boot on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. With gamers clambering to get their hands on the PS5 and Xbox Series - and the market for the PS4 and Xbox One still going strong - you might be asking, who cares? Well, a lot of people.
In June, Rockstar made the official announcement that past-gen consoles would be going dark before the year is out. We're currently calling the PS5 and Xbox Series new-gen and the likes of the PS4 and Xbox One last-gen, so does that make the PS3 and Xbox 360 last-last-gen? Either way, say your goodbyes while you can.
If you're still playing GTA V on its OG platforms, rest assured the main story of Franklin, Trevor, and Michael will still be playable. It's just that your progress will no longer be tracked by the Rockstar Games Social Club. Thankfully, it'll be a while before the PS4 and Xbox One servers are put out to pasture.
Previously, you weren't able to buy Shark Cards since September 16 - which is when Rockstar shuttered PS3 servers for Max Payne 3 and LA Noire.
Retro gaming is everywhere right now, and with GTA V being in that controversial situation of spanning three whole generations of console, it's become the tool of its own demise. We saw a backlash where Sony upturned its plans to close the PS3 and PS Vita stores, but don't expect the GTA Online servers to be so lucky.
What's Next For GTA Online?
Thankfully, those of us with newer consoles are in the money, hunny. Only recently, GTA Online announced a massive update that confirmed the return of GTA V's Franklin and a frankly bizarre collaboration with Dr. Dre. Coming on December 15, GTA Online: The Contract DLC promises to bring the goods.
Here, Franklin has the brainwave to start a "celebrity solutions agency", with F. Clinton and Partner having Dr. Dre on its books. It all ties into the previous Cayo Perico heist, and you can expect plenty of Dre's music. All in all, it's a pretty inventive update for a game that's already eight years old.
Interestingly, news for a Dr. Dre collab was originally thought to be for Grand Theft Auto 6. Now that another seemingly massive GTA 6 rumour has been debunked, we're back to guessing when/if Rockstar will make the move on its next mainline entry.
Despite things winding down on one end of the GTA Online spectrum, the fact the developer just delivered such a huge content drop at the other suggests we're even further away from GTA 6 than we could ever imagine.
