What's Happening?
Rockstar Games has released Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced in early 2025, updating the decade-old PC version with improvements such as new cars, a wildlife system, and technical upgrades like ray-tracing. Despite these enhancements, the update does not include crossplay functionality, meaning players on different platforms cannot play together. This decision is speculated to be due to the game's outdated technology and concerns about PC cheaters affecting console players. The Enhanced version also introduces features like kernel-level anti-cheat and Career Progress tracking, but maintains separate instances for the original and upgraded versions, preventing crossplay even within the same console family.
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Why It's Important?
The absence of crossplay in GTA 5 Enhanced is significant as it limits the multiplayer experience, which is a major draw for the game. Crossplay has become a standard expectation in modern gaming, allowing players to connect across different platforms. By not implementing this feature, Rockstar may be hindering the game's potential to attract new players and retain existing ones who seek a more integrated multiplayer experience. This decision could impact the game's revenue, as GTA Online has been a substantial source of income for Rockstar, generating millions monthly.
What's Next?
While Rockstar has not provided a clear explanation for the lack of crossplay, the gaming community is left to speculate on future updates or potential changes in upcoming titles like GTA 6. The decision not to include crossplay may influence player expectations and demand for future Rockstar games, potentially prompting the company to reconsider its approach to multiplayer functionality.
