It is likely thatGrand Theft Auto 6will have a seriously wide range of game characteristics to focus on in the lead-up to its release, most likely spanning across the game’s single-player and online modes. In this line of thought, it seems pertinent that Rockstar does well to capture the attention of the many different demographics of theGTAfranchise, and a new particular breed of player will surely have to be targeted within the title’s early marketing.
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The Success of Grand Theft Auto Online and GTA RP
It is no secret that 2013’sGrand Theft Auto 5is an extremely successful title, being considered by many as the best and most definitive entry to the longstanding and prestigious IP. As many expected, the single-playerGTA 5was revolutionary in its use of three protagonistsand its bustling, breathing open world. However, not many could have expected the level of success that the game’s online component would bring Rockstar, withGrand Theft Auto Onlinebeing a huge factor in the continued relevance ofGTA 5.
The core experience ofGTA Onlineturns the game world of Los Santos into a competitive multiplayer sandbox, in which players rise up the criminal underworld and reap the benefits of penthouse apartments, luxury cars, and high-tech weaponry. Beyond this,GTA Onlineoffers lots of content with community racesand game modes, but it is the recent rise of roleplaying withinGTA Onlinethat has truly given the mode its time in the limelight. Only occurring recently, the presence of dedicated and often modded RP servers has heralded a meteoric rise inGTAcontent creators and audiences, creating an entirely new demographic within the IP.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Marketing and GTA RP
Across the now ten-year life cycle ofGrand Theft Auto 5,the popularity ofGTARPis one of the most significant community-led happenings to occur within the game, and so it would be remiss for Rockstar to not take this aspect of the franchise forward within its next release. As it stands,GTARP occurs in a very much unofficial capacity, with private online servers and the use of mods being the primary way in which RP takes place. In this way, there is a fantastic opportunity for Rockstar to include a more immersive RP experience at launch withinGrand Theft Auto 6’sonline mode.
A fantastic way to bridge the gap between the currentsuccess ofGTA 5’sonline modeto that ofGTA 6’swould be via early-access RP events for the top content creators of theGTAroleplaying scene. Fans are of course eager to get an official glimpse ofGrand Theft Auto 6, and doing this would put huge amounts of attention on the game’s potential RP accessibility while being a tasteful acknowledgment by Rockstar of the community-led success of the mode.
WhileGTA 6is likely to be a comprehensive release, the continued success ofGTA Onlineis indicative of the importance that needs to be placed on the release’s multiplayer. If a lot of the game’s marketing is to relate to its offered online modes, then RP should undoubtedly be front and center.
Grand Theft Auto 6is currently in development.
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