GTA 5 Story DLC Scrapped Due to GTA Online’s Massive Success, Says Ex-Rockstar Developer
Joseph Rubino, formerly a cinematics editor for Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V, suggested that plans for the game’s anticipated story DLC were abandoned due to the overwhelming success of Grand Theft Auto Online.
In an interview with SanInPlay, Rubino disclosed that he had been working on an expansion centered around Trevor, one of the game’s main characters. Previously, datamined information had hinted at story DLC for each protagonist, and actor Steven Ogg, who portrays Trevor, had also mentioned its existence in April.
According to Rubino, Rockstar shifted its focus towards GTA V’s multiplayer mode, considering it a significant revenue generator that overshadowed the potential of single-player expansions.
“I think looking back now, I would say that they could have possibly done both, but it was a business decision that they made,” Rubino commented. He expressed disappointment that the DLC was well into development before being scrapped, though he acknowledged that much of its content was integrated into GTA Online. “It’s not like they wasted it,” he noted. “It was really, really good.”
GTA Online’s enduring popularity has led many to perceive ongoing multiplayer support as the series’ primary focus. As GTA V has spanned multiple console generations over the past 11 years, its multiplayer mode has remained a constant presence. This trend reflects concerns expressed by Naughty Dog regarding the cancellation of its planned Last of Us multiplayer game.
With the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and the success of Red Dead Redemption II, Rockstar appears to have transitioned into a full-time live-service model through GTA Online. GTA 6 is slated for release in 2025, raising questions about Rockstar’s long-term plans for GTA Online once the sequel launches.
