Professional video gaming is gaining momentum across various gaming genres. Aside from the big money spinners, such as Counter-Strike and Valorant, there’s an unquenchable thirst among eSports companies to unlock a game that can achieve the same levels of success. 

The biggest eSports tournaments, such as Valorant, have become so synonymous within this niche that the leading Valorant streamers and tournaments can turn their hobby into a highly profitable one. 

While Rockstar may have been relatively quiet since the start of this decade, they have one of the most highly anticipated games of all time less than 12 months from release – and, since they are renowned for constantly pioneering and constructing innovative ideas, could Grand Theft Auto 6 be the first significant attempt that the iconic gaming company launches into the world of eSports?

Why Rockstar Stayed Out Of It.. For Now

When examining specific industries, some companies and individuals set the bar so high for everyone else that it can sometimes feel as though the smaller developments within the industry are overlooked. California, for instance, is a global hub for tech; it’s one of the world’s largest economies, dwarfing most nations. Because of this presence, it can afford to dismiss some of the conversations about regulating online gambling. 

Many other states have succumbed to lobbyists over the last decade, as they could see the massive multi-billion dollar potential in the gambling market, and, for many, it’s quickly become one of the biggest generators of a tax base. 

California and Texas have tech and oil conglomerates to contend with, so they’re pretty content with sitting on the sidelines for this one. Perusing through the eSports odds at Thunderpick, it becomes crystal clear why so many companies are looking to sway states to climb on board with the idea of new gambling platforms. 

This might sound like a convoluted point, but Rockstar and eSports have a similar relationship. Rockstar revealed in 2019 that less than half of their revenue comes from sales, and it’s predominantly via microtransactions. 

Fast forward the clock by half a decade – microtransactions resulted in nine-figure annual profits every single year since 2014, purely through GTA alone. So, the question begs: if they’re making $500 million a year without eSports, why go out of their way to accommodate it?

GTA eSports – How Would It Work?

While Rockstar isn’t a stranger when it comes to integrating gambling ideas into their games, is it too much of a stretch to expect them to tailor part of their landmark new title to try to corner some of this vastly growing area of gaming?

The big juggernauts of industry tend to be trend-setters, rather than following everyone else’s lead. However, even the head honchos at Take-Two and Rockstar would be naive not to look at the burgeoning eSports world and try to identify ways in which GTA 6 could make a dent in it. 

Ranked tournaments, leagues, and prizes in stadiums are commonplace for Counter-Strike or Valorant, but could we see something similar for GTA? Gang rankings: the gangs with the biggest loot? Immersive in-game options, such as street racing or off-road cycling, could form the basis of an eSports league.

Until Rockstar release an update about what they expect for the game, then it’s simply too early to speculate – but within the vastness of the GTA universe, and the amount of surprises that they will have in store for us, it’d be naive to think they wouldn’t look to capitalize on the growing demand for eSports if their innovative designers can identify a market for it. 

Spinning Plates In The Gaming Industry

The rise of AI is one of the more challenging elements that Rockstar faces in their quest to design the next Grand Theft Auto. AI is being used to transform multiple creative industries, including video creation, marketing, finance, and in-game design. 

On many fronts, this will be a more pressing matter for them to contend with. They’ll also be looking to plug any potential leaks to avoid the embarrassment of dealing with another trailer ending up on social media rather than spending the big money trying to get involved in an established subsector where they currently have minimal presence. 

They’re not going to try to accommodate every single new trend that has emerged since the last GTA; otherwise, they will lose sight of the main goal, which is to make the next instalment in Vice City as engaging as possible. They’ll certainly be channelling a lot more of their resources into the development and leverage of AI rather than spending countless hours looking to design eSports ideas. 

However, with a reported budget set to be in the billions of dollars, not only do they have the scope, but they also have the budget and personnel to ensure that they leave no stone unturned. Basically, there’s no reason why they can’t do both.