GTA 6's online mode looks set for 2027 as dataminers unearth early features

Grand Theft Auto VI finally releases later this month after years in the making, plus a lot of leaks.

Even with the launch day in sight though, the leaks aren’t stopping yet, and they’re now shifting to what comes after GTA VI drops on consoles: the online mode.

There’s been a lot of speculation on what the future of GTA: Online could look like, and judging from Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, it’ll likely be another standalone project.

However, it’ll obviously integrate with GTA VI, as PlayStation Game Size discovered the phrases: “joinSession", "launchActivity" and "launchMultiplayerActivity" in the game’s code.

These backends are, obviously, related to multiplayer activities, so it sounds like Rockstar Games is already actively working on the online mode’s launch. It makes sense considering the base game should be ready to go live by now.

The question now is when it will launch and what kind of content we should expect. GTA: Online was pretty barebones when it launched back in 2013, but over time it blossomed into a bustling metropolis of in-game activities and regular content updates.

If GTA VI’s open-world is as large as the leaks say, there’ll need to be plenty for players to do to keep them interested.

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GTA 6 Online and the PC port could drop at the same time

Interestingly, PlayStation isn’t the only platform with clues relating to GTA VI’s online mode, as the Rockstar Games Launcher has received some ominous updates too.

Reddit user u/Alone-Voice8517 spotted the launcher had been revamped with new features and improvements for online play for those on PC, and naturally assumed that it has something to do with GTA VI.

Some of the comments argued that Rockstar is merely improving the online experience for roleplayers on GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, but there’s no reason that both theories can’t be true.

Reading between the lines, it feels safe to speculate that Rockstar is gearing up for a simultaneous launch of both the PC port and the next iteration of GTA: Online.

Again, it makes sense considering Rockstar did the exact same thing for GTA V. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions launched first, and the PC port was released on the same day GTA: Online went live.

How can you prepare for GTA: Online 2?

As stated earlier, GTA: Online has been out for years now and during that time players will have likely amassed a wealth of in-game cash, vehicles, weapons and more.

There’s been some speculation on what, if any, loot can be carried over to GTA: Online and while Rockstar is yet to shed some light on the situation, it’s likely that all players will have to start from scratch.

However, Rockstar Games is a studio that often rewards player loyalty and retention, so while you probably won’t be able to transfer anything across to GTA VI, you might get some bonuses if you’ve got your Rockstar Games Account linked to your game.

If you’ve somehow not done that already, we’d advise you to do so before GTA VI launches.

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