If all goes according to plan, Grand Theft Auto 6 is finally coming out later in 2025. Players around the world have spent over a decade with Grand Theft Auto 5 at this point, whether that’s been in the campaign or GTA Online, and it’s time for a change. Grand Theft Auto 6 takes the action back to the series’ famous Vice City, this time with Jason and Lucia leading the charge as a Bonnie and Clyde-like robber duo. Rockstar Games has otherwise been tight-lipped about what to expect from GTA6, but that’s expected to change soon.
Rumors about the new game are already spilling out, and the latest credible one comes from Digiday. According to three anonymous industry insiders, Rockstar wants Grand Theft Auto 6 to be a creator-driven platform, with user-generated content playing a large role in its online component. This is a logical evolution of the current GTA Online, and likely motivated Rockstar’s 2023 acquisition of CFX.RE, a team of roleplay server developers for Rockstar’s games. What the potential to modify GTA6’s assets and environments means for the game is unknown, but it needs to avoid falling into the same pitfalls Fortnite and Roblox did.
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GTA 6 Online Can’t Miss a Golden Opportunity to Carry Over a RDO Feature
A huge amount of pressure is already being placed on Grand Theft Auto 6 Online, and the game could surprisingly take one fun page out of RDO’s book.
A Lot Could Go Wrong With Grand Theft Auto 6’s Fan-made Content
User-generated content has played a big part in keeping successful franchises like Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series and FromSoftware’s Dark Souls trilogy relevant long after their launch. Roblox practically ran on user-submitted maps from the beginning, and Fortnite has built support for them over the past few years on top of its other strengths. It can’t be understated how well the roleplay-oriented GTA Online and, to a lesser extent, Red Dead Online have done for Rockstar Games, especially by funding its long and extensive development practices. Supporting fan content isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however.
Fortnite and Roblox’s Many Content Creator Controversies
Managing user-generated content is a can of worms that few have opened gracefully, with Fortnite and Roblox both getting into trouble over it. Both games’ treatment of community developers is exploitative, and things like original Fortnite Jam Tracks not being properly credited are just the start. Creators are underpaid when they actually get real money, and are either given Roblox’s in-house Robux currency or nothing when they’re not. Advertising isn’t guaranteed, with Roblox requiring a fee for official aid, and both titles’ content and community moderation are practically non-existent, leading to plenty of false copyright claims. Fortnite is better about stepping in, but usually after a controversy starts making headlines.
How Grand Theft Auto 6 Can Support Its Fan Developers
Responsible Community Content Management Could Make GTA 6 The New Gold Standard
To make a long story short, Fortnite and Roblox are great guides for what Grand Theft Auto 6 shouldn’t do with user-generated content. Given the abundance of player-made racetracks, game modes, and roleplay servers for GTA5, GTA6 can’t afford to be caught slacking. The first and most simple thing GTA6 can do to avoid issues is make sure that, no matter what something is, it has the names of everyone who worked on it in some visible space. Simple as that sounds, Rockstar needs to ensure the necessary systems and UI are in place so that they don’t become a problem later.
Content moderation for massive games like GTA Online and Roblox is difficult, but even though GTA6’s likely M for Mature rating should relieve it of some child protection pressure, it needs to do something. Rockstar should ensure community moderators are equipped to handle the waves of fan content, with approval rules being clearly surfaced to users. Paying Grand Theft Auto creators, if there is premium or sponsored content, should also be transparent and enforced. User-generated content is a complicated space that hasn’t been fully explored, but Grand Theft Auto 6 handling it right could be a massive boon for itself and the game industry.
