Last year, recordings of the next Grand Theft Auto– suppose that GTA 6—leaked online. While Rockstar quickly attempted to remove the videos from the internet and plug the holes in the ship, it has been impossible to contain any completely a massive, unprecedented leak. This gave fans all over the world a very good insight into the future of Grand Theft Auto. And now I and others are finding it difficult to return to aging GTA Online.
Late September 19, 2022, 90 short videos of early gameplay of what would later be confirmed by Rockstar as next GTA Entry leaked online via a hacker. The recordings revealed a lot about the next game in the hugely popular open-world franchise, including the series’ return to Vice City, Florida, a fan-favorite last seen GTA: Vice City Storiesthe prequel of the popular PS2 classic, GTA: Vice City. It also gave us a good insight into the new protagonists of this next criminal adventure and some of the missions that we might experience GTA6 is eventually released. Fans even began mapping the game’s virtual world use the leaks.
Rockstar undoubtedly hates the leak and probably wishes it could rewind time and prevent it from ever happening in the first place, but it ended up revitalizing the playerbase. For the first time in a long while there was excitement and energy at play GTA Community that after years of GTA Online updates etc poorly received remasters was in a pretty bad place before the leak. Even an early, unfinished or unpolished leak from GTA6 was better than silence and buggy remasters. People got pumped and hyped about the future Grand Theft Auto in a way I hadn’t seen in years.
But then, as the leaks were scrubbed from the internet and it became clear Rockstar wasn’t going to release an official teaser or trailer to capitalize on the moment, all me and everyone else GTA Fans could do was go back GTA Online. And that’s harder now that I’ve seen the future.
The latest big and free extension for gta online, The Holy drug wars, was released late last year at a really bad time for me to play and cover for the site. So I just didn’t play it. For the first time in the history of GTA Online, I completely skipped a new update. I still haven’t played it. First, I blamed skipping the latest update on poor timing and a busy schedule due to holidays and year-end content. But now, weeks away from all that, with more free time to play stuff, I still haven’t started the new update. And I think it’s time to admit that my burnout is getting worse GTA Online was greatly enhanced by this little taste of what is to come. This look into the future of GTA in Florida ruined me.
I could go back and drive around the same Los Santos highways and streets that I’ve been driving since 2013. I could launch the game and check out the latest deals and missions associated with it. I could, sure. Thing is, I don’t know if I want to. I mean, ultimatelyi will play more GTA Online. I kind of have to as it’s part of my job here at my city. But if it wasn’t part of my career, there’s a real chance I might never play GTA Online again.
To put it bluntly: It’s not because of that GTA Online is worse now than it was a decade ago – it’s actually a lot better playing 2023 than 2013 – but because the glimpse of a fresh new world has satisfied my cravings booting up the same old Los Santos after a decade GTA Online and GTA V. I mean just having new songs on the radio will be great. I love Queen’s “Radio Ga-Ga” but in 10 years you can only listen to it until you’re ready for new songs.
At this point, I hope for the waiting time grand theft auto 6 and its sunny beaches, palm trees, and new characters isn’t too long now as I’m ready to leave Los Santos for a tropical vacation in Vice City.
