GTA5: Millions still log in daily, but is GTA 5 still worth your time with GTA 6 around the corner? Let’s break it down.
Why GTA 5 Still Has a Massive Player Base in 2025? Despite being over a decade old, GTA 5 and GTA Online still draw millions of players worldwide. With Rockstar officially confirming GTA 6’s launch on May 26, 2026, many gamers are jumping back into GTA 5—either to catch up or keep busy while waiting.
GTA Online’s constant updates, RP servers, and massive modding community have kept the experience fresh. For returning players, it still feels very alive—especially on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and high-end PCs.
What’s Keeping GTA 5 Alive?
GTA Online updates: Weekly bonuses, new cars, business battles, and heists like Cayo Perico still offer reasons to grind.
RP (Roleplay) Servers: GTA RP continues to attract Twitch streamers, keeping the game visible and culturally relevant.
Modding: PC players enjoy high-end graphics mods, superhero mods, and even early GTA 6-style gameplay tweaks.
Cross-gen Play: With enhancements on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, the game looks sharper and loads faster than ever.
Also Read: The Ultimate Game Naming Guide for Indie Developers (2025)
What You Should Still Play in GTA 5
Heists & Online Events: The Cayo Perico and Diamond Casino heists remain some of the most profitable and popular missions.
Story Mode Mods: Visual overhauls and AI-enhanced textures now make the game look nearly next-gen.
GTA RP (Roleplay): Servers like NoPixel still attract streamers and community players alike.
Races, Business Battles & Weekly Events: Rockstar’s weekly updates keep the economy ticking and content flowing.
GTA 5 vs GTA 6: What You Should Practice Now
If you’re planning to jump into GTA 6 on launch day, GTA 5 is the perfect training ground. Here’s what skills transfer over:
- Character switching (Franklin, Michael, Trevor) prepares you for GTA 6’s dual protagonists: Jason and Lucia.
- Driving and combat mechanics help with GTA 6’s expected improvements in physics and realism.
- Economy & strategy from GTA Online may come in handy if GTA 6 includes online co-op or live-service modes.
GTA 5 vs GTA 6: What You Can Probably Skip Now
Story Mode Replay: Unless you’re modding, the original campaign doesn’t hold as much replay value in 2025.
Low-tier Online Content: Old businesses and outdated weapons feel stale, especially for players who’ve done it all.
Next-gen exclusive visuals: Even with “expanded and enhanced” editions, it’s clear Rockstar is saving major upgrades for GTA 6.
Also Read: GTA 6 Release date, pricing and all
What GTA 5 Teaches You Before Jumping Into GTA 6
GTA 6 is confirmed to feature Jason and Lucia as dual protagonists, a Vice City-like setting, and more manual gameplay mechanics (like realistic shopping and movement). If you’re still playing GTA 5, now’s the time to:
Get used to switching between characters again.
Explore open-world sandbox chaos, since GTA 6 expands on it.
Master driving, combat, and flying—skills that’ll likely carry over with tighter physics.
Is GTA 5 Still Worth Downloading in 2025?
If you’ve never played GTA 5, or haven’t in years, it’s worth downloading. But only on current-gen consoles or powerful PCs. The experience has aged gracefully, thanks to mods and updates. That said, with GTA 6 officially dated for next year, GTA 5 now feels more like a training ground for the future of Rockstar’s universe.
If you’re playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, GTA 5 still holds up thanks to:
- Faster load times
- Higher-resolution textures
- Ray tracing (limited)
- Better frame rates
However, Rockstar clearly wants you thinking ahead. No major single-player DLC is coming, and some speculate GTA Online support will begin winding down in late 2025.
Final Verdict: Play GTA 5 Now or Wait for GTA6?
If you’re on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S and haven’t touched GTA 5 in a while, now’s a great time to revisit it. The game is far from dead—it’s just in its final arc.
But keep in mind: GTA 6 is coming, and it promises a whole new generation of open-world gaming. Until then, GTA 5 is your best playground.
GTA 5 isn’t dead, it’s evolving. In its final stretch before GTA 6 takes over, it still offers one of the most dynamic open-world experiences in gaming. Whether you’re modding story mode, stacking GTA$ in Online, or roleplaying as a cop in Vice City-themed servers, there’s still fun to be had, just not forever.
