The NextGen version of GTA 5 is delayed. But that is not the reason for the criticism from many directions that Rockstar currently has to endure.
The NextGen version of GTA 5 and the standalone version of GTA Online will be postponed. The new date falls to March 2022, after the upgrade was originally scheduled for November 21, 2021.
And this is also relevant for Global Esport News readers, because with the NextGen version of GTA 5, PC players should also benefit from graphical and technical improvements!
The news from the PlayStation Showcase, however, is causing criticism among many Rockstar fans. However, not because of the delay, as one might have thought. Instead, many viewers are disappointed by the new trailer, the few improvements announced so far and the opaque communication on the part of Rockstar.
Why fans are criticising the NextGen version of GTA 5
Release delayed: It was announced at the PlayStation Showcase that both the NextGen variant of GTA 5 and the standalone version of GTA Online will be delayed. Instead of 21 November 2021, it is now March 2022. The reason for the delay via Rockstar Newswire is that the upgrades for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S need more “polishing and fine-tuning”.
New trailer for the NextGen version: The new release date was announced in the course of a dewy trailer. Not only are the NextGen graphics shown, but there is also information about new and old improvements for the new edition.
What will change: Specifically, there is talk of “improved graphics”, “enhanced gameplay” and the “seamless character change” in the single player of Grand Theft Auto 5. In addition, owners of a PS5 can look forward to a free version of GTA Online in the first three months after launch. Take a look at the trailer for yourself:
However, YouTube and Reddit hail a lot of criticism. Under the official Rockstar video, for example, there are currently just 22,000 likes compared to 23,000 dislikes. And also in various Reddit posts and comments there is a lot of bad mood. But what is the reason for this?
What is the problem? For one thing, many fans are anything but enthusiastic about the improved graphics. They criticise that the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S version doesn’t really look better than GTA 5 on current PCs. To be fair, however, it should be noted that this is now an eight-year-old game with the corresponding technology.
Moreover, the improvements promised so far are not exactly cause for jubilation. For one thing, they remain rather vague and unspecific, and for another, they can be counted on the fingers of one hand at the moment. So far, all that is known is that GTA 5 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will run in 4K and at 60fps, while there will be seamless character switching in the single player.
For many fans this is currently still too little Especially considering that the single player was expanded with new weapons, vehicles, activities and more during the last generation change and there have been no updates for the story mode since then.
In addition, numerous commentators are frustrated by the opaque and vague communication on the part of Rockstar. Instead of concrete details, there is only the promise of “so much more” improvements and new info in the foreseeable future. The fact that Rockstar always keeps their own maps close to their chest is nothing new, but always a reason for disappointment and frustration in the community.
However, it cannot be ruled out that the tide will still turn: As we get closer to the new release date of the NextGen version of GTA 5, Rockstar Games should show more and new improvements to the original game. At least there is hope for that.
Promised improvements for GTA 5 on PC.
What about the PC improvements? Admittedly: Things have been suspiciously quiet about the promised upgrades for the PC version of GTA 5, which is to be released alongside the NextGen version. The info on this can in fact be traced back to August 2020, when publisher Take-Two announced them in a financial report.
According to this, exclusive content for the PC is also to come with GTA 5 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S – players of the PS4 and Xbox One version will almost certainly have to do without it. Since then, however, there has been no talk of new content or technical and graphical improvements on the official channels.
However, this is not necessarily a cause for alarm: On the PC, GTA 5 and GTA Online enjoy a huge player base. Accordingly, it is of course not only the console version that is supplied with new updates and improvements. And it is extremely unlikely that Rockstar will stop doing so in the future.
The fact that the improvements for the PC have gone quiet could have a very simple reason: Rockstar is probably concentrating on the owners of the NextGen consoles in order to win new (and also old) customers. Since GTA 5 has long been available on the PC, this could simply not be a priority in communication.
Here’s hoping that Rockstar will soon share meaningful information and also inform PC players about what they can expect from GTA 5 and GTA Online in 2022. Otherwise the disappointment is likely to be great or even greater – we’ll keep our fingers crossed. An established insider might have already found out what will happen soon with GTA Online:
What do you think about the new trailer of the NextGen version: Do you share the disappointment of many fans? Or would you rather wait and see what you think? Let us know in the comments.
