Twelve Years Later, GTA 5 Could Still Outsell a New Game in Its Sleep

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Twelve years after its launch, GTA 5 still sells like it’s brand new.

Unlike many other studios focusing on launching new intellectual properties or sequels, Rockstar’s game from 2013 remains a powerhouse, consistently outperforming the financial results that most contemporary titles aspire to achieve in each quarter.

In the current year alone, Take-Two Interactive verified that Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) surpassed global sales of over 215 million copies. This figure is remarkable in itself, but what’s truly astounding is that the number continues to climb.

As a gamer, I’ve been hooked on this game that’s been flying off shelves at an astonishing rate – shifting over five million copies every quarter, making it a top contender in this year’s releases, with only Monster Hunter Wilds outperforming it. Rockstar’s genius in maintaining GTA Online’s allure is the key factor that’s kept it from slipping off its pedestal.

Players continue to play due to regular seasonal modifications, role-playing servers, and incentives such as additional GTA$ and subscription perks. The launch of the Enhanced Edition even sparked renewed interest in GTA 5 on platforms like Steam, where it re-entered the list of most-played games once more.

In the meantime, excitement for GTA 6 is fueling a blaze that continues to grow stronger. The debut trailer broke records on YouTube by amassing 93 million views in just one day. Shortly after, the second trailer garnered an astounding 475 million views across various platforms within a single day as well.

Delaying the launch of GTA 6 until May 2026 hasn’t affected the sales of GTA 5 negatively; on the contrary, this extension gives Rockstar more time to continue earning from their blockbuster game. The long-term success of GTA 5 is largely due to its accessibility across various platforms and generations, making it one of the few titles available on such a wide range of stores.

Regardless of whether it’s a PS3, PS5, Xbox 360, Series X, or numerous PC models from the last ten years, Grand Theft Auto V has consistently been playable, frequently updated, and inviting to all gamers. This widespread accessibility is what maintains a popular game like this in the gaming world as a long-lasting platform.

GTA 5 didn’t just have strong sales—it set new standards for blockbuster success. It became the quickest entertainment product to hit $1 billion in retail income, surpassing not only other games but all types of media ever before.

As we stand in 2025, GTA 5 continues to be the top-selling video game of the previous decade in the United States. While other games are often discussed for their long-term success, GTA 5 surpasses this and enjoys a second life.

Despite numerous new games vying for attention, Grand Theft Auto V, an old title from Rockstar Games, consistently remains at the top, breaking records and leading charts as if it’s common practice. With GTA 6 not due until next year, there’s a strong possibility that GTA 5 could enjoy another record-breaking run.

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2025-05-19 10:12