Like it or not, Grand Theft Auto Online is clearly going to be a major part of the GTA franchise for many more years to come. With the news that the online mode will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X as a standalone experience, many are starting to wonder exactly what Rockstar intends to add to the game that will justify buying it independently of GTA V.
From the sounds of it, Rockstar is planning already planning some pretty massive updates for GTA Online that could mark the start of its evolution into a true next-gen experience. Just last week, the studio confirmed that it's currently working on the "biggest ever update for GTA Online, featuring our latest take on Heists in an entirely new location".
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Obviously this got tongues wagging. Exactly where would this new location take us? Would it simply be another Los Santos-based update like the Diamond Casino & Resort, or are we going a little further out than that? According to one alleged leaker, the new heist will take us all the way to Liberty City - the New York-inspired metropolis last seen in GTA IV.
This comes from Reddit user markothemexicam, who claims to have a roomate that used to work for Rockstar North... before being let go along with nearly a 100 other employees. This particular leaker previously accurately predicted the GTA V PlayStation 5 announcement, as well as a handful of other updates for GTA Online.
"[My roommate] said that the new location is Liberty City," he explained. "Niko Bellic is coming back, with his voice talent Michael Hollick. The heist is about robbing gold reserves in Liberty City. Many freemode activities and Quick Jobs will be added to remastered Liberty City and future updates for PS5 will be based on Liberty City."
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They go on to claim that this update will release in December 2020 as the "final" one for current-gen consoles before the focus moves to next-gen updates. The next update for the game before this is expected to arrive in summer, and will apparently finally open up the "Mile High Club building".
Just how true this all this remains to be seen, but it's worth noting that this alleged leaker has had some success in the past. Adding an entirely new city would certainly be one way to justify charging people to get the game again on next-gen consoles. However, I'm not 100% certain Rockstar would simply stop updating the game on current-gen consoles, given how massive it continues to be. We'll have to wait and see.
Featured Image Credit: Rockstar GamesTopics: Rockstar Games, GTA Online, GTA V, Grand Theft Auto