GTA 5 is still popular because it has become more than a 2013 story game: GTA Online keeps adding reasons to return, the game has reached several console generations and PC, and its enormous player base makes it easy to find friends and communities. Take-Two said in a July 2026 proxy statement that the game had sold in nearly 230 million units to date. That is a sold-in figure—units shipped to retailers and distributors—not a count of active players.
GTA Online gives GTA 5 a continuing reason to play
The clearest explanation for the game’s longevity is GTA Online. It is included with GTA 5 and has developed into an ongoing multiplayer experience rather than a one-time mode attached to the campaign. Regular free updates add activities and other content, while optional in-game purchases create recurring consumer spending for publisher Take-Two Interactive.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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IRIPLEZO Grand Theft Auto V | $24.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Grand Theft Auto V (PS4) | $26.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fPlaA2F7L._SL160_.jpg)
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Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition - PC [Online Game Code] | $29.98 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grand Theft Auto V - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $17.97 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grand Theft Auto V | $47.00 | Buy on Amazon |
That model helps explain why people return long after finishing the story. Friends can meet up, try new activities, or revisit familiar parts of Los Santos without needing a new mainline game. Take-Two’s latest sales milestone is evidence of the game’s extraordinary reach, but it should not be mistaken for the number of people playing GTA Online today: the company does not give an active-player count in the cited figure.
Repeated releases brought it to new players
GTA 5 has followed players across multiple hardware generations. It launched on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, arrived on PS4 and Xbox One in 2014, came to PC in 2015, and received PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions in 2022. Each release gave people who had not played it before another opportunity to join, while some existing players bought it again to continue on newer hardware.
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- STUNNING VISUALS — Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes featuring up to 4K resolution, up to 60 frames per second, HDR options, ray tracing, improved texture quality, and more
- FASTER LOADING — Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before.
- ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK — Feel every moment through the DualSense controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and more.
- TEMPEST 3D AUDIO — Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighbouring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the European version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
That broad availability also feeds the online network effect: with so many copies in circulation, a player is more likely to have a friend, community, or familiar group already in the game. Take-Two’s sales figure is reported as “sold-in,” meaning shipments through its distribution channels; it does not establish how many copies players currently own or use.
Its large world supports different ways to play
The single-player campaign remains part of the appeal. Its open-world setting, three protagonists, and combination of missions and free-form exploration give players more than one way to spend time in Los Santos. Players can follow the story, roam and experiment, or return to activities they enjoyed. GTA Online then adds a separate multiplayer space, so the package serves both people who want a structured campaign and those looking for an ongoing sandbox.
Rank #2
- Experience the world of Grand Theft Auto V like never before with the power of the PlayStation 4.
- Explore the City of Los Santos, the countryside and even the ocean.
- Play through an epic single player experience using three very different characters.
- Join your friends in GTA Online and see what trouble you can cause.
- Play golf, tennis, see a film or call someone and just hang out.
Discounts and bundles lower the barrier to entry
GTA 5 has frequently appeared at discounted prices and in bundles, according to secondary coverage. That makes it easier for newcomers to try a well-known game, and it helps keep the title visible in digital storefronts. Discounts vary by platform, region, store, and date, so there is no single current price to rely on; check the storefront you plan to use.
PC communities add another layer
On PC, mods and roleplay communities have extended the game beyond its official modes. Modding can change how some players approach the world, while roleplay servers create player-led scenarios and social spaces. These communities are not a measure of the whole audience, and mod availability or rules vary by server and platform.
Rank #3
- GRAND THEFT AUTO V When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath land themselves in trouble, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other.
- GRAND THEFT AUTO ONLINE Discover an ever-evolving world of choices and ways to play as you climb the criminal ranks of Los Santos and Blaine County in the ultimate shared Online experience.
- THE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE STARTER PACK The Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack is the fastest way for new GTA Online players to jumpstart their criminal empires with the most exciting and popular content plus $1,000,000 bonus cash to spend in GTA Online - all content valued at over GTA$10,000,000 if purchased separately.
- This game will no longer support Windows 7 or 8 operating systems starting January 30, 2024.
Some third-party sites estimate that PC accounts for a substantial share of active players, but Take-Two has not confirmed a PC share or an official current player count in the figures cited here. Treat precise online population claims from aggregators as estimates, not company-reported totals.
The long wait for GTA 6 keeps GTA 5 in focus
GTA 5 has been the only new mainline Grand Theft Auto release since 2013, so the long interval has kept its world and characters in the public conversation. Take-Two’s 2026 proxy statement puts GTA 5 at nearly 230 million units sold-in to date; the same filing reports more than 80 million units sold-in for Red Dead Redemption 2 as of the end of fiscal 2026, illustrating the scale of Take-Two’s major releases without indicating how many people are playing either game now.
Rank #4
- The biggest, most dynamic and most diverse open world ever created and now packed with layers of new detail.
- Grand Theft Auto V blends storytelling and gameplay in new ways as players repeatedly jump in and out of the lives of the game's three lead characters, playing all sides of the game's interwoven story.
- Grand Theft Auto V also comes with Grand Theft Auto Online, the dynamic and ever-evolving Grand Theft Auto universe for multiple players.
As of October 8, 2026, Take-Two lists GTA 6 for November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The company reiterated a fiscal 2027 net bookings outlook of $8.0–$8.2 billion in August 2026. Those are company plans and outlook, not proof of how GTA 6 will affect GTA Online or how long players will remain in GTA 5. Whether the older game retains a large audience after its successor arrives remains an open question.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is GTA 5 still worth buying in 2026?
It can be a good fit if you want an open-world campaign, a large sandbox, or GTA Online’s established activities and community. The decision depends on what you want to play: someone mainly interested in the next mainline release may prefer to wait, while a newcomer who wants the existing story and online world has years of content to explore. Check the listing for your platform and region, since availability, bundles, and current discounts can differ.
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