The countdown to Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) continues, with Rockstar Games ' new major production scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. After years of waiting, the next chapter in the popular series is now very close to the market, but one important part of the game seems to require more patience.
The reason is multiplayer, which is expected to be the basis for the next GTA Online. Rockstar has not yet revealed specific details about when it will make the online part of GTA 6 available, but a new statement from the CEO of Twitch creates new data around the timeline.
Twitch CEO talks about 2027
Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch, said in an interview with Bloomberg that he has been in contact with Rockstar and knows some of the company's plans regarding GTA 6 and multiplayer.
According to what he said, the release of the new game could lead to a significant increase in activity on the streaming platform, but the really big increase is expected next year, when multiplayer will make its appearance.
See also: GTA VI soundtrack: 34 brand new tracks
Clancy explained that Twitch has been working with Rockstar and has discussed ways in which the game could connect more with the platform's content creators. His statement is one of the most concrete indications yet that the new GTA Online could be released in 2027.
Although the information comes from a high-ranking Twitch executive, it's worth noting that Rockstar has not officially confirmed a specific release date or window for multiplayer.
Why GTA Online (multiplayer) is so important
The success of GTA Online has set a particularly high bar for Rockstar. Grand Theft Auto V's multiplayer debuted on October 1, 2013, about two weeks after GTA V's release on September 17.
Since then, GTA Online has evolved into something much more than just a companion multiplayer mode. For more than a decade, it has been enriched with new missions, heists, operations, vehicles, characters, activities and different ways to utilize the online world.
Its long-term support is one of the main reasons why Rockstar has a vested interest in carefully planning the successor state.
See also: Zach Cregger's Resident Evil is expected to surpass Resident Evil: Afterlife
The new GTA Online could change things
The big question now is what exactly GTA 6's multiplayer will offer. The move to a new map and a new technological core creates the possibility for a much larger scale, more activities, and an online environment designed from the ground up for the capabilities of modern consoles.
At the same time, Rockstar now has the experience gained from more than ten years of GTA Online, which means it can leverage what worked well in the previous game, but also review mechanisms that need changes.
Another important element is the relationship with creators and streamers. GTA Online has been a significant source of content for Twitch and YouTube for years, as the game's open world constantly creates unpredictable situations, stories and moments that can be turned into popular streams.
Rockstar doesn't need to rush
The possibility of multiplayer launching in 2027 also makes sense from a development perspective. Rockstar would be able to focus on the launch and stability of the base game first and then shift its resources to the online ecosystem.
A simultaneous release of single-player and multiplayer would create enormous technical and operational pressure. On the contrary, the time gap allows the company to monitor how players use the world of GTA 6 and prepare a multiplayer that can be supported for many years.
See also: Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember – New trailer and release date
Over a decade later, GTA Online is changing eras
The fact that GTA Online has remained active since 2013 shows how important the online part has become for the series. The new GTA 6 will therefore not just be a sequel to a successful game, but the basis for a new online ecosystem with a multi-year perspective.
If the Twitch CEO's information proves accurate, players will have to wait until 2027 to experience the new version of GTA Online. Until then, attention will focus on the release of GTA 6 itself on November 19th and the first signs of how Rockstar intends to evolve the world of Grand Theft Auto for the next generation.
