by RootSec
Even though the game is likely at least a year away from releasing, nothing has stopped Grand Theft Auto fans from consuming any alleged leak or rumor about Rockstar Games’ upcoming sequel. Grand Theft Auto 6 is easily one of the most anticipated games of this young console generation and yet fans know next to nothing about it.
Eventually, though, the Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing machine will start churning, and players will begin to learn about the open-world crime adventure that awaits them. Past history has told fans that Rockstar typically will start with a teaser for the first trailer, release that footage, and then slowly trickle out information as time goes on. But for Grand Theft Auto 6, the developer can do something different and maybe borrow a page from the Call of Duty Warzone playbook.
Because Grand Theft Auto Online will still presumably be up and running when it comes time to start teasing Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar could opt to drop some hints within its online experience. Call of Duty Warzone was used to tease Black Ops Cold War and it seemed to build excitement around the already-popular Warzone and get fans ready for the next Call of Duty as well. If Rockstar were to suggest that hints at the next Grand Theft Auto were included in Online then it would likely see a massive resurgence in players.
Rockstar Games did do something a little like this with Red Dead Redemption 2, but it was of a smaller scale. Players could complete a short quest and claim weapons that would be unlocked in Red Dead Redemption 2 when it inevitably launched. But because Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption don’t have as much crossover potential because of setting and time period, Rockstar couldn’t go all out. For Grand Theft Auto 6 they potentially could.
Players in Grand Theft Auto Online could meet characters from Grand Theft Auto 6 ahead of time – whether they are main, playable characters or quest givers that only have a small impact on the story. Quests within Grand Theft Auto Online could also give information about the Grand Theft Auto 6 setting, which has been rumored to be a variety of locales. Some fans would love to see GTA 6 head back to Vice City, while other speculation suggests a South American setting.
Whatever the case may be, Rockstar has a unique opportunity to set the stage for Grand Theft Auto 6 beyond just releasing trailers and developer commentary. If players can jump into Grand Theft Auto Online and discover some details about the upcoming game it would be a win-win for both them and the devs.
Obviously, this is merely a discussion of what Rockstar Games could do but it is not confirmation of what the studio will do. It would be very surprising if there wasn’t any GTA Online tie-in, but how extensive that will be is anyone’s guess. Hopefully, Rockstar sees how Activision is able to build hype with seasonal teases and new game teases in Warzone, and takes some notes.
Rockstar has already revealed that it plans to dial down the initial release from past GTA games in order to avoid developer burnout. Grand Theft Auto 6 will seemingly be a game that evolves over time as Rockstar adds to the product. But ultimately there will be a starting point, and it would be really cool if things kicked off within Grand Theft Auto Online.
