Why Was 2020 GTA V’s Best Year Since 2013?
It's hard to believe it's been nearly eight years since the Grand Theft Auto franchise raced to success with GTA V. Following in the footsteps of Rockstar Games hitters like Red Dead Redemption, Bully, Manhunt, and Max Payne, the fifth main series entry in the GTA series quite literally blew the competition out of the water. When we first stepped into Los Santos as Michael, Franklin, or Trevor, we doubt even Rockstar knew GTA V would go on to be the most profitable entertainment product of all time.
All these years later, GTA V has gone on to have its best year since 2013. With an overhaul of the staple GTA Online, the introduction of the Cayo Perico Heist draw new crowds. Elsewhere, the release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S meant gaming fans were trying out their old favourites on a whole new generation of consoles. Finally, it's been another regular fixture at the top of the Steam charts to show PC players are still very much invested in this record-breaking game. Together, this was the perfect storm GTA V needed to rise back to the top.
Why was 2020 the best year for GTA V?
Roll out the virtual red carpet, because according to video game journalist Geoff Keighley, GTA V has officially sold over 140 million units since it first dropped in 2013. If that wasn't enough of a reason to celebrate, Keighley explained 2020 was the game's best year since launch. With the title shifting an impressive 20 million copies last year, it's the most sold since 2013. Although this might seem astonishing in a time most games have long since shuffled off to the gaming graveyard, it shouldn't come as a total shock considering GTA Online had its highest-earning month of all time in December 2020 - thanks Cayo Perico.
All in all, it shows there's still plenty of gas in the tank for GTA V, and has us rightly looking to the future. Unfortunately, with No. 5 being the goose that continues to lay the golden eggs, does this inadvertently confirm the mythical GTA 6 will be pushed to the back burner? Even though it could be a money-making stroke of genius to bring the two together like Activision has with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War by using Warzone as a buffer, it's unclear whether Rockstar will go down this route. Putting it simply, GTA V is just too profitable to put out to pasture yet. Yes, we all can't wait for GTA 6, but it would make sense to release when GTA V finally winds down - whenever that is.
Could 2021 be the best year for GTA V?
Talking about what's next, 2021 is set to be another bumper year for GTA V. Despite a clear sales boost thanks to next-gen consoles, it's important to remember we're yet to get a fully next-gen version of the game. GTA V might run a little smoother and look a little sharper than it did in 2013, but this year is sure to see it soar to the top of the charts once again thanks to a fully next-gen remaster. More than just giving Trevor a 2021 facelift, Rockstar has teased an expanded version that could offer new content and (hopefully) a tease of what's to come in GTA 6.
In 2016, it was reported GTA Online had already generated a whopping half a billion dollars, so we dread to think what the main game's multiplayer companion has brought in these days. Alongside the promise of more content for GTA Online, the remastered GTA V is sure to rake in some serious dollar. All of this is before we even discuss rumours of a Remastered Collection for GTA III, GTA: San Andreas, and GTA: Vice City. Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, is onto a winner with this one. Will GTA V have its best year again? Watch this space
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