Fast forward to today—2026—and GTA V is still selling. It’s been ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and even PC, where it continues to dominate Steam charts. How many games from 2013 can you say that about? Exactly.
The secret sauce? GTA Online. Launched in October 2013, this persistent multiplayer mode turned a single-player hit into a living, breathing economy. You can run a nightclub, rob a casino, or race flying motorcycles that shoot missiles. It’s absurd, addictive, and a little bit magical.
Rockstar has released over 40 major updates since launch. From the Heists update (finally letting you rob a bank with friends) to the Cayo Perico Heist (a tropical island heist), they kept the world fresh. No other game has maintained such a loyal, growing audience for over a decade.
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Practical Tips for the Time-Traveling Gamer
If you’re just now jumping into Los Santos for the first time, welcome to the party. Here are a few tips to survive the chaos: First, invest in a high-end apartment early—it gives you a safe place to plot heists. Second, don’t buy a yacht until you’ve made at least $10 million. It’s a money pit, but a very pretty one.
Third, always keep a Pegassi Oppressor MK II in your garage if you can afford it. It’s a flying broomstick that will save you from traffic jams and angry players. And fourth, never trust a stranger in a jet. They will blow you up. It’s a rite of passage.
For the fashion-forward player, the game even lets you customize outfits with surprising depth. Want to roleplay as a 70s disco king? Go for it. A tactical ninja in a crop top? Rockstar says yes. The only rule is that you must look good while committing crimes.
