Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto Online has been a major cash cow for the developer since the release of Grand Theft Auto 5 in September 2013. Yes, the online mode has been kicking around for more than four years now and it’s received tons of free updates. This includes the Doomsday Heist, a rather large operation that takes players into the depths of Mount Chiliad.
Perhaps because the newest heist or just because of the game’s popularity, it’s receiving more new players than ever before. Rockstar revealed in a new blog post that not only was 2017 the biggest year yet for the online mode but that December had more player in-game than at any other point. No figures were provided (like cumulative player counts) but this is still a pretty big achievement.
You have to bet that Rockstar is banking on Red Dead Redemption 2’s online mode to provide the same longevity over a number of years. Releasing later this year for Xbox One and PS4, it remains to be seen how that will work out.