Overview

• Obbe Vermeij, Rockstar technical director from 1998 to 2009, prototyped a deathmatch mode for GTA3 in 2001 featuring player respawns, vehicle takedowns and networked scripts.
• Early multiplayer efforts in GTA3 and Vice City were abandoned because of time constraints, networking hurdles and the need for functional lobbies and scripts.
• Rockstar skipped online play in San Andreas, opting instead for a local co-op mode that Vermeij says was bolted on midway through development.
• Rockstar first implemented online modes with GTA4 before GTA5’s GTA Online transformed into a sustained platform driving player engagement and microtransaction revenue.
• GTA Online remains active with updates like the Money Fronts expansion, and Take-Two’s leadership has suggested support could continue beyond the launch of GTA6.