Rockstar Games’ long-awaited next title may include features that could push the franchise closer to the MMORPG genre.
In an interview with WCCFTech focusing on the current state of MMORPGs among Western developers, veteran game designer Rich Vogel shared an intriguing perspective on Grand Theft Auto VI. Vogel, known for his work on titles such as Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Star Wars: The Old Republic, DOOM (2016), New World, Halo Infinite, and Gotham Knights, revealed that he had heard the majority of GTA VI’s planned features could steer the game toward MMORPG territory.
“Yes, I believe a large audience is waiting for the right MMORPG to appear. Just think about the millions of players who have played and continue to play World of Warcraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls Online, Ultima Online, EverQuest, or Fallout 76. The problem is that no publisher is currently willing to invest the money or take the risk. My instinct tells me that the next major MMORPG will likely come from Asia and/or Europe. If what I’ve heard about GTA VI’s features and gameplay is true, the game could evolve into an MMORPG, since many of its planned elements are commonly found in the genre,” Vogel explained.
His comments primarily refer to the game’s online component. Although Rockstar has yet to reveal concrete details beyond the setting and main characters, it is highly likely that GTA VI will feature a traditional, narrative-driven single-player campaign alongside a separate online mode, much like Grand Theft Auto V.
GTA V already marked a significant step toward a persistent online world when compared to the more limited, session-based multiplayer of Grand Theft Auto IV. Its success was so overwhelming that it overshadowed most of the studio’s other activities, eliminating the need for story-driven DLCs. While GTA IV received expansions such as The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, later narrative content was instead integrated directly into Grand Theft Auto Online.
This direction was further reinforced in August 2023, when Rockstar acquired Cfx.re, the creators of FiveM. FiveM is a community-developed modification for GTA V’s base multiplayer that introduced several MMORPG-like features, including dedicated servers, significantly higher player counts per session, and role-based gameplay such as playing as a paramedic, police officer, or other professions.
At one point, FiveM even surpassed the concurrent player numbers of standard Grand Theft Auto Online on Steam, contributing to GTA V’s continued dominance on streaming platforms like Twitch.
The ongoing popularity of FiveM suggests there is genuine demand within the GTA community for a more persistent, role-playing-inspired experience with larger player populations. While GTA VI’s online mode is unlikely to become a traditional MMORPG, it may incorporate some of these elements to draw players into a more seamless, persistent, and immersive living world.
Source: WCCFTech
