Periodically, rumors circulate within the gaming community that Grand Theft Auto Six will integrate cryptocurrencies, leading to heightened anticipation that the highly-awaited game may offer digital assets as incentives for players and nonfungible tokens (NFTs) as in-game commodities or even as part of the game’s comedic elements. The latest speculations arose on Twitter last week, although there is no indication that Rockstar Games, the developer of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, intends to enter the Web3 space. Cointelegraph has examined the most recent rumors and factual information regarding the likelihood of a crypto-enabled Grand Theft Auto release.
The play-to-earn (P2E) model, which enables users to earn cryptocurrencies by engaging in gameplay, is no longer viewed as a viable and effective business strategy, despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding blockchain-powered games.
During the NFT.NYC conference held in April, game publishers and developers emphasized that the gaming industry is actively seeking alternative business models to supplant the play-to-earn (P2E) approach due to the decline in cryptocurrency values. Chase Freo, the CEO of the gaming platform OP Games, cited the example of Axie Infinity’s modification of some of its primary titles and stated that the P2E model is entirely unsustainable.
In the panel discussion, Paul Flanagan, the chief of business development at CM Games, a mobile games developer based in Estonia, expressed his viewpoint on the fundamental problem with P2E models. He characterized them as “zero-sum” and drew comparisons to Ponzi schemes. Flanagan suggested that while branding sponsorship may have the potential to serve as a feasible source of income, its actual efficacy is yet to be determined.
As per Statista, Grand Theft Auto V has been one of the most successful game titles ever released, having sold over 180 million units worldwide since 2015. According to projections of the revenue earned by Rockstar’s parent organization, Take-Two Interactive, the franchise has generated over $8 billion in the last ten years. Given the high profitability of the GTA franchise, transitioning to a P2E model would be a risky undertaking for Rockstar.
In November 2022, Rockstar made an announcement via its website that fan-operated servers for Grand Theft Auto V were no longer permitted to use crypto assets, particularly NFTs. Fan-operated servers enable alterations to a PC game and facilitate interaction between players. In the case of Grand Theft Auto, certain servers incorporated NFTs to enable players to claim ownership of in-game items, such as vehicles and weapons. Rockstar’s prohibition of NFTs was a disappointment to fans who had hoped for their inclusion in the franchise.
Lastly, the Grand Theft Auto franchise is renowned for its comedic flair. Several crypto enthusiasts anticipate that the forthcoming installment of the game could incorporate crypto-related elements into its storyline, thereby substantiating the prolonged rumors about the game’s crypto orientation. Cointelegraph made an attempt to contact Rockstar concerning these speculations but has yet to receive a response. The company has neither refuted nor validated the possibility of GTA six being crypto-enabled. The game’s release is anticipated in 2024.
