GTA Online, not the storyThis section covers the online game. Jason and Lucia’s story, its purchases and its numbers stay in the rest of the site. Story purchases
Leonidakit, GTA Online, the separate space
Today’s GTA Online, the one from GTA V
GTA V’s online game, launched in 2013, keeps going. It’s a benchmark for picturing GTA VI’s online game: a ballpark, never a GTA VI number.
- 5chapters
- 15reference points
- 19sources
The benchmark
GTA V’s online game, chapter by chapter
Chapter
Its beginnings
GTA V comes out on September 17, 2013 on PS3 and Xbox 360: over $800 million in sales on day one, according to Take-Two.
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GTA Online opens on October 1, 2013, two weeks after the story, included with the game.
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A session then brings together up to 16 players: co-op missions, deathmatches, races and free roam.
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Chapter
What you can buy in it
Shark Cards add GTA$ to the online game’s balance in exchange for real money; you can buy them in the game or in the stores.
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From June 18 to July 22, 2026, the biggest Shark Cards gave 40% more GTA$.
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GTA+, a subscription launched on March 29, 2022 on PS5 and Xbox Series, cost US$5.99 per month, with GTA$500,000 every month; it went up to US$7.99 in 2024.
Since November 6, 2025, GTA+ includes access to GTA Online on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, where the online game is also sold on its own.
Chapter
Its latest updates
GTA V
A Safehouse in the Hills
December 10, 2025: the return of Michael De Santa, mansions in Vinewood Hills, a new mission creator and vehicles.
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GTA V
The Kortz Center Heist
July 14, 2026: an art heist at the Kortz Center, solo or with up to four players, for anyone who owns a mansion and its Art Studio add-on.
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To go with it, GTA Online was playable without PS Plus or Game Pass from July 14 to 20, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series.
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Chapter
The free month of GTA+ with GTA VI
A digital pre-order of GTA VI made before November 20, 2026 gives you a month of GTA+. It’s activated in the console store and works in this GTA Online, not in GTA VI.
Activate it no later than March 31, 2027 on PS5, or within 180 days on Xbox; once per account; it then renews at the regular price unless you cancel it.
On PlayStation, the offer isn’t valid in Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia or Taiwan.
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Chapter
And after GTA VI?
Take-Two promises, according to TechRadar and TweakTown, to keep GTA Online going after GTA VI’s release, “and beyond”, with the same pace of updates.
No transfer of characters, money or assets to GTA VI has been announced. The only precedent: the Enhanced version of GTA V on PC, in March 2025, which let you carry over your progress.
19 sources checked
Sources
- OfficialTake-Two Interactive: September 18, 2013 press release on GTA V sales
GTA V, released on September 17, 2013 on PS3 and Xbox 360: over $800 million in sales on day one.
- Seen in media'Grand Theft Auto Online' launches Oct. 1
GTA Online opens on October 1, 2013, two weeks after GTA V, included with the game.
- Seen in mediaThe Timeline of Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online
At launch, a GTA Online session brings together up to 16 players: co-op missions, deathmatches, races, free roam.
- OfficialHow to Purchase Shark Cards for Grand Theft Auto Online on PlayStation
Shark Cards add GTA$ to the GTA Online balance; you can buy them in the game or in the stores.
- Official40% GTA$ Shark Card Bonus Offer FAQ
From June 18 to July 22, 2026, the Great White, Whale and Megalodon Shark Cards give 40% more GTA$.
- Seen in mediaGrand Theft Auto Online – GTA+ subscription service announced for PS5, Xbox Series
GTA+, announced on March 25, 2022 and launched on March 29 for GTA Online on PS5 and Xbox Series: US$5.99 per month, with GTA$500,000 every month.
- Seen in mediaPush Square: GTA+ raises its price (April 2024)
GTA+ goes from US$5.99 to US$7.99 per month in 2024: on April 11 for new subscribers, on June 11 for everyone else.
- Seen in mediaStandalone GTA Online PS5 Launcher Added to GTA+ Subscription Service
Since November 6, 2025, the GTA+ subscription includes access to GTA Online on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Seen in mediaGTA 6 is a 'singleplayer experience,' GTA Online may be sold separately
Theory: a future GTA Online sold separately, like GTA V’s today on PS5 and Xbox Series.
- Seen in mediaWorthplaying: GTA Online’s “A Safehouse in the Hills” update
Released December 10, 2025: the return of Michael De Santa, mansions in Vinewood Hills, a new mission creator and vehicles.
- OfficialThe Kortz Center Heist Now Available in GTA Online
Since July 14, 2026: an art heist at the Kortz Center, solo or with up to four players; you need a mansion and its Art Studio add-on.
- Seen in mediaPlayStation 5 Players Can Get GTA Online Without PS Plus for Limited Time
GTA Online playable without PS Plus or Game Pass from July 14 to 20, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series, to go with The Kortz Center Heist.
- OfficialActivate the GTA+ subscription month included with your Grand Theft Auto VI pre-order
The month of GTA+ from digital pre-orders (before November 20, 2026) is activated in the console store and is used in GTA Online: activation before March 31, 2027 on PS5, within 180 days on Xbox; once per account, then renewed at the regular price.
- OfficialRockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VI
Rockstar Games and Take-Two press release: GTA VI offers “a single-player experience”, out November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S; a month of GTA+ with digital pre-orders; the Ultimate Edition is aimed at Jason and Lucia’s story.
- OfficialHow to claim the Grand Theft Auto VI pre-order bonus offer for one month of GTA+
PlayStation offer: once per account, for new, former and current subscribers, to activate no later than March 31, 2027; not available in Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia or Taiwan.
- Seen in mediaGTA 6 Online might not be coming anytime soon, as Take-Two confirms GTA Online support will 'continue' after GTA 6 launches 'and beyond'
September 17, 2026, Take-Two shareholder meeting: GTA VI is a single-player game, and GTA Online will be supported “after GTA 6’s release and beyond”.
- Seen in mediaGTA Online will continue after GTA 6's release, Take-Two reiterates
August 7, 2026: a steady pace of updates for GTA Online, which Take-Two plans to keep supporting.
- Community identificationWill Your GTA Online Character Transfer to GTA 6? What Rockstar Has Confirmed
Fan site: Rockstar hasn’t confirmed any transfer of characters, money or assets to GTA VI.
- Seen in mediaRockstar Games Releases Free Upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V on PC
March 2025: the free Enhanced version of GTA V on PC lets you carry over your Story Mode and Online progress.
The statuses are explained in the Tutorial.
Keep exploring
What’s next?
The rest gets written on November 19, 2026.
Each page will be filled in once the game is out: what you find there, what you do there, what it earns you. Nothing made up until then.