Rockstar May Build GTA 6 Into a UGC-Driven 'Adult Roblox’
Metaverse | Games
2-minute read
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is probably the most anticipated game of the year for gamers everywhere. It's been over a decade since Grand Theft Auto V launched in 2013, and everyone knows that GTA 6 is expected to hit PS5 and Xbox Series this fall. There's even buzz that it might arrive on PC in early 2026. But that's not all—recently, Digiday reported that Rockstar Games is in talks with top creators from Roblox and Fortnite to explore the possibility of creating custom experiences within GTA 6. This means GTA 6 might not just be the most talked-about "game" of the year, but it could also transform into a "metaverse," becoming a brand-new platform for creators in the creator economy.
Relive the excitement with the game trailer!
The GTA Creator Ecosystem
You might recall our previous coverage of Grand Theft Hamlet, a Shakespearean film shot within GTA. But many non-gamers might not know that GTA 5 is still one of the most-watched games on Twitch. You might wonder, how has this game stayed so popular for so long? A big part of the credit goes to the FiveM game mod.
FiveM is a third-party multiplayer mod that allows players to create and join custom servers, experiencing various gameplay styles, with the most popular being the Role-Play (RP) mode. FiveM lets players freely modify game content, such as custom maps, vehicles, weapons, and even establish rules and economic systems entirely different from the official GTA Online.
Initially, Rockstar Games was hostile towards FiveM, blocking creators involved with it in 2015. However, as GTA RP (Role-Play) gained immense popularity, FiveM became increasingly influential, making GTA 5 one of the most-watched games on Twitch. Eventually, Rockstar acquired the development team behind FiveM, Cfx.re, in 2023, allowing and supporting the mod. In essence, game mods are where player creativity shines, showcasing the value of "user-generated content" (UGC).
Therefore, if Grand Theft Auto VI launches with a UGC model, creating a creator economy ecosystem, it wouldn't be surprising. "It will sit at the top of the metaverse ecosystem because it's a very natural transition point, perfect for players graduating from Roblox and Minecraft," said Pete Basgen, head of Wavemaker, a WPP agency, in the Digiday report.
If Grand Theft Auto VI really becomes the "grown-up Roblox," will you be excited? Plus, with rumors that GTA 6's development cost is a whopping $2 billion, how will Rockstar monetize to recoup this massive investment? Perhaps, UGC and the creator economy will be the key to the game's long-term success, turning it into a rockstar of the gaming world.
