While Rockstar Games remain a fairly limited developer in terms of its releases this past console generation, the firm continued to benefit greatly from its continued success with Grand Theft Auto V as a live service. The team pursued the route of free periodic content funneled into the 2013 release and was met with exponential growth in its player base alongside ranking the top selling title for the 2010s according to NPD Group.
Similarly, the developer aims to do the same for Red Dead Redemption II as well. But, the team this time around issues a new approach for users that want to jump right into the multiplayer: a standalone release. Yes, Red Dead Online is available separate from its single player component. Opening a new opportunity for direct influence on the market without the consumer required to purchase the entire suite.
And already, the firm plans to offer a parallel experience with Grand Theft Auto V. Take-Two Interactive previously told GTA Online will be a standalone experience for free later in mid 2021 unique to PlayStation followed by other platforms. Now, the firm reiterates that the new approach is coming thanks to the title’s overarching presence on the market.
“As you sell that many units, you will at some point arrive at the conclusion that you’ve saturated for purchasing the title,” Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive CEO tells during a conversation during the Morgan Stanley conference – transcribed by GameSpot.
At that point you’re willing to experiment with the possibility that maybe there is another way to bring people into the online experience. Make it super-low friction, low price point. Sure, you don’t have access to the original single-player experience, but you do have access to an online world. Our view is perhaps that’s a different market and that’s a way to expand the player base.
The statement from Zelnick happens to echo what is already at play for Red Dead Redemption II. Players can find a direct entrance point to the meat of the experience without having to bear the burden of purchasing the entire package. However, Zelnick fails to leave out when fans can expect this to be executed for Grand Theft Auto V later this year.
Zelnick elsewhere during his time at the conference also comments on the coming remaster for Grand Theft Auto V. Applying both to the story & multiplayer, the new version for PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S is insisted to further push the boundaries for the latest consoles alike Grand Theft Auto V did previously when new to preceding systems.
Even more, Zelnick goes on to comment on his support for pricing games at $70. In favor of titles released under Take-Two Interactive, Zelnick explains that titles are evaluated for the increased price tag and is only deemed if enough content is parallel to a larger price. You can read the full report by heading here.
Are you planning to pick up a standalone version of GTA Online or now?
Grand Theft Auto V is out now for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC; playable via backwards compatibility for PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S.
Source: GameSpot
