The Unrivaled Success of GTA Online
A game released in 2013 for previous generation consoles is earning more than a million dollars a day in 2026. It is the online mode of Grand Theft Auto V, which has just a few months left before its own creators attempt to replace it with the most anticipated sequel in video game history, GTA VI. This situation presents an unprecedented dilemma for Rockstar Games, particularly highlighted by recent leaks revealing astonishing revenue metrics.
The Hacking Incident
On April 11, the ShinyHunters group gained unauthorized access to Rockstar Games’ servers through an exploit in cloud management software. Confirmed by the company, the breach was stated to have limited impact on operations. The hackers disclosed business metrics from Rockstar’s internal analytics, indicating that GTA Online has been generating significant revenue. Despite being unsolicited, these leaks resulted in a rise in Take-Two’s shares.
Revenue Breakdown: A Million a Day
According to the leaked data, GTA Online was earning an average of $9.59 million per week from September 2025 to April 2026, with a peak at nearly $28 million. This amounts to around $500 million annually—a staggering figure for a game that debuted back in 2013.
The Business Model: Shark Cards
The backbone of GTA Online’s revenue model is the sale of Shark Cards, virtual currency packs that allow players to purchase in-game assets like cars and properties. Over the decade, these cards have generated over $5 billion. Interestingly, only 4% of the active player base is responsible for the majority of this spending, further emphasizing how a small segment—often referred to as “whales”—drives the financial success of the game.
GTA+: A Subscription Model
In addition to Shark Cards, Rockstar introduced GTA+, a paid monthly subscription service in 2022, which peaked at 1.3 million subscribers in December 2025. This subscription model has become an additional pillar in Rockstar’s ongoing monetization strategy.
The Decline of Red Dead Online
As GTA Online flourishes, Red Dead Online has seen a decline, generating an average of $507,000 per week compared to GTA Online‘s impressive numbers. This has led to Rockstar prioritizing resources towards the more profitable GTA Online, effectively winding down support for Red Dead Online.
Future Coexistence
While Rockstar has been tight-lipped about the specifics of GTA VI’s online component, leaks suggest it will include a multiplayer mode. There is a concern about the resource allocation needed to support two simultaneously active live-service games. As Take-Two’s CEO mentioned, the intention is to maintain engagement with the GTA Online community even as new titles are launched.
Challenges Ahead
The challenge lies in transferring the existing GTA Online ecosystem to GTA VI. Players have invested years building virtual empires, and starting over is not an attractive option. The transition implications are complex, and no concrete discussions about asset transfers have been initiated by Rockstar, adding to existing player apprehensions.
Conclusion: A High Bar for GTA VI
Predictions indicate a multi-year coexistence period between GTA Online and GTA VI, as Rockstar seeks to transition users between the platforms while managing both. The success of GTA Online sets a high bar for GTA VI just as it embarks on its own journey. How Rockstar navigates this transition will be crucial and will likely determine the future trajectory of the franchise.