[Last Updated: February 2026]
[This article is updated regularly as new info drops. Bookmark it.]
GTA Online printed money. Literally. Since launching in 2013, Grand Theft Auto Online has generated over $8 billion in revenue for Take-Two Interactive through Shark Card microtransactions. There is zero question that GTA 6 will have its own online mode. The question is: what will it look like, and will it improve on the formula or just copy it?
Here’s everything we know and can reasonably predict about GTA 6 Online.
What Rockstar Has Confirmed
Let’s start with the honest truth: Rockstar has confirmed almost nothing about GTA 6’s online mode. The official trailers focus entirely on single-player story content. What we’re working with is patterns from GTA V Online, industry analysis, and educated predictions.
What we do know:
- Take-Two’s financial forecasts account for significant ongoing revenue from GTA 6 (implying a live-service component)
- GTA 6’s technical improvements (NPC AI, weather, physics) will carry into the online mode
- The dual-protagonist system could influence online cooperative gameplay
When Will GTA 6 Online Launch?
🔮 EXPECTED: GTA Online launched two weeks after GTA V’s story mode (October 1, 2013 vs September 17, 2013). Expect GTA 6 Online to follow a similar pattern — launching within the first few weeks of the November 19, 2026 release, possibly Day 1.
Alternatively, Rockstar might delay the online launch slightly to ensure server stability. GTA Online’s original launch was plagued by server issues that kept players locked out for days. Rockstar will want to avoid a repeat with GTA 6’s much larger expected player base.
Expected Features
Heists 2.0
Heists were GTA Online’s most popular content. Expect GTA 6 Online to launch with heists from Day 1 (GTA Online didn’t get heists until March 2015, over a year after launch). Given GTA 6’s improved robbery mechanics (zip ties, dialogue system, dual protagonist coordination), online heists should be more sophisticated:
- Multiple approach options for each heist
- Role-based gameplay (hacker, driver, enforcer, infiltrator)
- Dynamic heist targets that change weekly or monthly
- Scaling difficulty and rewards
Businesses and Properties
GTA Online’s business system evolved significantly over its lifespan — from apartments to MC clubs to nightclubs to the Agency. GTA 6 Online will likely launch with a more polished version:
- Nightclubs: Fitting for Vice City’s party culture
- Drug operations: MC club-style businesses but expanded
- Real estate: Buy, renovate, and flip properties
- Import/Export: Vehicle theft and smuggling operations
- Marina/Boat businesses: Leveraging the coastal/Keys setting
Character Creation and Progression
🔮 EXPECTED: A significantly improved character creator (GTA Online’s was notoriously limited at launch). GTA 6’s body customization system from single-player (gym workouts, fitness) will likely carry over to online characters.
Housing and Garages
🔮 EXPECTED: Based on single-player’s home customization system, expect more detailed property customization. Rather than picking from preset interiors, players may be able to customize layouts, furniture, and decorations.
Cross-Platform Play
❓ UNCERTAIN: This is the biggest question mark. GTA V Online does not support cross-platform play. However, cross-play has become increasingly standard in 2026:
- For cross-play: Industry trend, larger player base, player demand
- Against cross-play: Rockstar has never implemented it, PC vs console balance concerns (aim assist vs mouse), platform exclusivity deals
Our prediction: Console cross-play (PS5 + Xbox) is likely. PC cross-play with consoles is less certain due to the modding/cheating disparity.
Monetization: Shark Cards or Something New?
GTA Online’s Shark Card system was simple: buy in-game currency with real money. GTA 6 Online will almost certainly have a similar premium currency, but may also introduce:
- Battle Pass system: Seasonal content passes with cosmetic and gameplay rewards
- Cosmetic-only store: Separate from gameplay-affecting purchases (unlikely given Rockstar’s history, but possible under industry pressure)
- Premium currency: Evolved Shark Cards with better value tiers
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has stated that the company believes in offering “recurrent consumer spending” opportunities. Translation: microtransactions will be a core part of GTA 6 Online.
What Happens to GTA V Online?
🔮 EXPECTED: GTA V Online will wind down gradually after GTA 6 Online launches, but won’t shut down immediately. Rockstar will likely:
- Stop major content updates for GTA V Online within 6-12 months of GTA 6 Online’s launch
- Keep servers running for 1-3 years as the player base migrates
- Eventually transition to maintenance mode or sunset the service
Your GTA V Online progress will not transfer to GTA 6 Online. They are separate games. This is confirmed by industry precedent and the fundamentally different game engine.
The Online Economy Reset
One of the most exciting aspects of GTA 6 Online is the economic reset. GTA V Online’s economy became wildly inflated over 10+ years of updates. Cars that cost $30,000 at launch were eventually dwarfed by $10 million vehicles. New players faced an impossible grind to catch up.
GTA 6 Online starts fresh. Everyone begins on equal footing. The first months will feel like the golden early days of GTA V Online, when simply owning an apartment felt like an achievement. If you want to be an “early player” of the next decade-long online game, this is your chance.
Technical Improvements
GTA 6’s technical upgrades benefit the online mode too:
- Higher player counts: GTA Online supported 30 players per session. GTA 6 Online could support 50-100+ players, enabled by current-gen hardware and better server infrastructure
- Better loading times: NVMe SSDs on PS5/Xbox Series X mean no more 5-minute loading screens
- Improved netcode: GTA Online’s peer-to-peer networking caused rampant cheating. GTA 6 Online may use dedicated servers
- Better AI: Mission NPCs will be smarter and more challenging
- Dynamic weather in sessions: Shared weather events like storms could create unique gameplay moments
Frequently Asked Questions
When does GTA 6 Online launch?
Not officially announced, but expected within the first few weeks of GTA 6’s November 19, 2026 release, possibly Day 1.
Will GTA 6 Online be free?
It will be included with GTA 6, same as GTA V. You buy the base game and get online access. It may eventually be sold separately (GTA Online was split from GTA V for standalone purchase).
Is GTA 6 Online cross-platform?
Not confirmed. Console cross-play (PS5 + Xbox) is likely. PC cross-play is uncertain. Rockstar has never implemented cross-play in any of their games.
Will my GTA V Online progress carry over?
No. GTA 6 Online is a completely separate game. All players start fresh.
How many players per session in GTA 6 Online?
Not confirmed. GTA V Online supported 30 players. Expect 50+ players per session in GTA 6 Online, enabled by next-gen hardware.
Will there be Shark Cards in GTA 6?
Almost certainly, under some name. Microtransactions for in-game currency are expected. A battle pass system may also be introduced.
