As the gaming world waits with bated breath for Grand Theft Auto VI, developers and publishers are scrambling to clear their release schedules to avoid its shadow. But amidst the usual hype about graphics and map size, a new and intriguing rumor has emerged from an industry heavyweight: GTA 6 might be steering the franchise into the territory of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs).
The Source: A Titan of the MMO Genre
The insight comes from Rich Vogel, a seasoned veteran whose resume reads like a history book of the MMO genre. Vogel has worked on seminal titles such as Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and The Old Republic.
In a recent interview with Wccftech regarding the state of Western MMOs, Vogel dropped a significant nugget of information. While discussing the lack of high-budget Western MMOs currently in development, he noted that the next major evolution in the genre might not come from a traditional fantasy RPG, but from Rockstar Games.
"If what I have been hearing about GTA 6's features and gameplay is true," Vogel stated, "it could evolve into an MMORPG, as many of its planned features are typically found in MMORPGs."
Blurring the Lines Between Action and RPG
Vogel’s comments highlight a shift that many players have already begun to feel in the current iteration of GTA Online. While he clarified that his information is second-hand—he is not working on the project himself—the trajectory of the franchise supports his theory.
It is universally expected that GTA 6 will launch with a traditional, narrative-driven single-player campaign. However, the online component appears poised to deepen the "persistent world" mechanics that made its predecessor a financial juggernaut.
The "FiveM" Factor
The strongest evidence supporting an MMORPG shift is Rockstar’s acquisition of Cfx.re in August 2023. Cfx.re is the team behind FiveM, a popular modification framework for GTA V that allows players to join dedicated roleplay servers.
On these servers, players don't just shoot and drive; they assume specific roles—police officers, paramedics, business owners, and criminals—adhering to strict rules of engagement and character persistence. This style of gameplay is the very definition of an MMORPG. FiveM became so popular that it frequently boasted higher concurrent player counts than the base game on Steam.
By officially bringing the FiveM team into the fold, Rockstar signaled a massive interest in officializing this style of play. If GTA 6 integrates these roleplaying systems, dedicated servers, and persistent character progression natively, it would effectively become the most expensive and high-fidelity MMORPG ever made.
What This Means for Players
If these rumors hold true, the "Online" portion of GTA 6 could offer a far more immersive living world than previous entries. Instead of simple lobby-based deathmatches or races, players might find themselves in a seamless economy where their chosen "job" or role impacts the wider server.
While Rockstar has yet to confirm specific details about the online modes, the combination of Rich Vogel’s industry hearsay and the studio's recent business moves suggests that Grand Theft Auto is ready to transcend its action-adventure roots and dominate the MMO space as well.
Recommended Comments