Future GTA Online updates will have ‘more of that single-player element’

Grand Theft Auto Online’s future updates are expected to cater to single-player gameplay as well as co-op activities.

Rockstar launched what it calls “the biggest GTA Online adventure ever” last week in the form of The Cayo Perico Heist, a multi-layered robbery set on an exotic island location.

It offers a fresh approach to heist design that enables users to complete the content solo for the first time (or with up to three other players).

“It’s something that’s been on our minds for quite some time and the community has been vocal about it,” Rockstar North design director Scott Butchard told GQ. “It’s something we’re keen to carry forward.

“We want to respect teams and players who want to play co-op. But at the same time still allow solo players to still get just as valid an experience out of it. There’s perks to both. If you go in there by yourself, you’re taking 100 per cent of the cut and it’s a lot easier to do stealth and plan when you’re not on comms. With multiple players you can split up and do multiple things at once.”

Butchard added: “I think going forward we’re going to inject more of that single-player element in there”.

Rockstar is set to bring an “expanded and enhanced” version of GTA V to next-gen consoles in the second half of 2021, including a standalone version of GTA Online which will be free for PS5 owners for the first three months.

The studio launched a standalone version of Red Dead Online for consoles and PC in November.

And the CEO of Rockstar owner Take-Two recently said the company hasn’t ruled out the possibility of releasing more free-to-play games based on its hit franchises.

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