GTA 5's Story DLC Canceled For GTA Online's $$$, Ex-Dev Reveals

A former Rockstar developer revealed that the anticipated Grand Theft Auto 5 story DLC was canceled because GTA Online became an unexpected financial success. The standalone DLC, which would have featured Trevor Philips, was shelved as the team shifted focus to GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2. While some elements of the scrapped DLC found their way into GTA Online, the decision to cancel the story expansion left some developers feeling frustrated. Robino, an ex-Rockstar staffer, cited the intense workload and studio crunch during the development of GTA 5 and RDR2. Rockstar's focus now is on the upcoming GTA 6, set for a fall 2025 release.

The GTA 5 story DLC was canceled because GTA Online became a substantial financial success soon after its launch, leading Rockstar to shift resources and focus to the online component and other projects like Red Dead Redemption 2.

Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, revolutionized the gaming industry with its expansive open-world design and richly detailed storylines. While the standalone story DLC for GTA 5 never came to fruition, GTA Online has continuously evolved, introducing new missions, events, and characters, keeping the player base engaged. The success of GTA Online has influenced Rockstar’s approach to future installments of the Grand Theft Auto series, including the development of GTA 6, which is highly anticipated for its rumored release in 2025.