Rockstar Games has yet to officially announce details regarding the multiplayer component for Grand Theft Auto 6, the successor to the highly successful Grand Theft Auto Online. While the game's initial release on November 19 will feature only the single-player campaign, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy suggested in an interview with Bloomberg that a multiplayer launch is anticipated for next year. "We spent a lot of time talking with Rockstar about their plans, and also helping them think about how they can engage our creators," Clancy stated. "You are going to see this big bump with GTA 6, but then an even bigger one next year when they launch multiplayer."
The timing of online mode releases has varied for Rockstar titles. Grand Theft Auto Online launched just two weeks after Grand Theft Auto V's release, while Red Dead Online arrived seven months after Red Dead Redemption 2. Clancy's vague "next year" could mean a launch as early as January 2025, or potentially as late as the end of 2027. A launch closer to summer 2025, similar to Red Dead Online's rollout, seems more probable.
There are no current indications that Rockstar plans to abandon support for the existing Grand Theft Auto Online. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously stated that the company supports legacy titles as long as there is player engagement. He cited the continued success of NBA 2K Online in China, with both its 2012 and 2017 iterations still active, as an example of their willingness to maintain older games alongside new releases.
Recent announcements leading up to Grand Theft Auto 6's release include details about its soundtrack and worldwide unlock times. Retailers have also issued warnings about region-locked codes for the game, advising consumers to ensure they purchase the correct version for their region. Meanwhile, Rockstar Games is currently involved in the final tribunal hearing concerning the dismissal of 31 Rockstar North employees, a situation the IWGB union has alleged was an act of union-busting by the company.