As we eagerly anticipate the release of the next Grand Theft Auto installment, it seems like we might see GTA 6 debuting in the fall of 2025. With anticipation running high and still a while to go before the actual release, the rumor mill is buzzing with speculation about Rockstar Games’ next big venture. One of the intriguing rumors is that the game’s Standard Edition might not include GTA Online, which could be launched as a separate product.
According to a well-known GTA leaker, Tez2, posting on the GTA Forums, there’s a chance that the iconic online mode will be sold independently from the main game. While we’ve seen this happen post-launch with both Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, this would mark the first instance of the online component being separate right out of the gate.
Tez2 proposes that this strategy could prove advantageous for both Take-Two Interactive and its customers. Case in point: for the publisher, a separate online mode could make the Grand Theft Auto universe more accessible by lowering the barrier of entry. It mirrors what we saw with GTA 5, allowing more players to dive into the online world without paying the full price of the story mode. For players, this could mean that the single-player campaign is available at the currently typical $70 price.
The leaker further elaborated, “By pricing the online version cheaper, Take-Two could attract those who aren’t in a position to pay $70 or $80. Those players might eventually feel compelled to upgrade to the story mode anyway, resulting in a positive outcome for everyone,” Tez2 explained. “Then there are those who might wish to jump into the story mode but can’t swing the added cost. That’s where GTA+ could come into play, offering a subscription service akin to Game Pass. Take-Two could see extra revenue from subscribers who prefer not to pay the upgrade right away. Another win-win scenario for them.”
From a consumer standpoint, “If the standalone online pricing is competitive and brings the overall cost down, then the game might still be priced at the standard $70,” Tez2 added.
The backdrop to these rumors is the fear among some fans that GTA 6 might launch with a hefty price tag of $100. However, it’s important to underline that this remains pure speculation. Neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive has confirmed anything at this stage, so for now, it’s wise to treat these tidbits as just that—unverified whispers.
