GTA Online next-gen update: Release date, GTA 5 changes, trailers

Rockstar Games have confirmed that GTA Online will undergo a next-gen update for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S alongside the Expanded & Enhanced edition launch, but when will it be released? Here’s what we know so far.

Plenty of fans are desperate to see Rockstar Games release Grand Theft Auto 6, but for now, the devs are continuing to pump out new content for GTA Online and Red Dead Online. 

They’ve already confirmed that GTA 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online will move over to its third generation of consoles with an  “expanded and enhanced” version – and possibly new content – coming to PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox Series X and S.

But when will this new-gen update arrive and what can we expect from it? Here’s a full breakdown of everything we know thus far.

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GTA 5 released in 2013 and has become one of the highest-grossing games of all time.

GTA 5 next-gen update release date & bundles

GTA 5’s Expanded & Enhanced edition was originally set to launch on November 11, 2021. As the date drew close, however, Rockstar announced this new-gen upgrade had been delayed.

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We now know GTA 5 and GTA Online are set to launch on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, for the PS5 and Xbox Series X | S.

Furthermore, players can purchase each title separately if they prefer. Rather than a bundle containing both, a new option is available to buy just the GTA 5 Story Mode or GTA Online.

GTA 5 next-gen pre-load date & file size

Before we get to the March 15 launch date, we know for certain that fans on PS5 will be able to pre-load the new-gen version of GTA 5.

Coming in at 86.837GB, according to early reports, the GTA 5 Expanded & Enhanced pre-load is set to go live on Tuesday, March 8.

This means PlayStation users will have a full week to download and install the title before it unlocks.

PlayStation benefits from GTA 5 Expanded & Enhanced upgrade

 

We know now that both GTA 5 and GTA Online will be arriving at the same time across PS5 and Xbox Series X | S.

Though after the delay was announced, Rockstar said that the new standalone GTA Online will be free to download on PlayStation for three months after the game’s release.

This is still conditional as you’ll have to be subscribed to PS Plus to take advantage of this opportunity, but it’s a nice gesture. PS4 owners will also be offered $1,000,000 of in-game currency every month until the next-gen update. 

This will be exclusive to the Sony console for a few months before it goes live on Xbox Series X/S. 

Upgrades on GTA V Expanded & Enhanced

With the power of the new consoles, we can expect some improvements to performance with the Expanded & Enhanced edition. Rockstar have assured fans that this will not be “a simple port.”

Rockstar has confirmed the new-gen versions of GTA 5 and GTA Online will boast ‘new graphics modes’ including an option for 4K resolution and a frame rate of up to 60FPS.

Furthermore, the new port is expected to come with improved loading times, 3D audio support, haptic feedback on PS5, and more.

Will GTA Online characters carry over to PS5 & Xbox Series X?

For anyone worried about potentially having to start again when it comes to GTA Online, that doesn’t look like it will be the case. 

When the Xbox One/PS4 versions went live, it was a simple case of carrying on. However, players will have to perform a “one-time migration” of their GTA 5 and GTA Online progress to PS5 or Xbox Series X | S.

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Of course, if they want to use this new version to get a fresh start, there’s always the option of starting all over again. It isn’t clear at this time if progression can be transferred cross-platform, but we’ll update this page as soon as we know more.

Be sure to check out our full guide here on how to transfer your save for the new-gen version of GTA 5 and GTA Online.

GTA Online players should be able to transfer their characters and progress to next-gen consoles.

Will there be GTA 5 DLC?

As for single-player DLC for the next-gen update, it’s unlikely we’ll get that. It’s been nearly a decade since the game originally launched, after all.

The Expanded & Enhanced edition could bundle some new cars or weapons into the mix, but it’s best to keep expectations grounded in terms of any new story-based content.

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Either way, we’ll keep this post updated as and when Rockstar starts to reveal new details – or they’re leaked ahead of time. So, keep checking back with us.