GTA Online has not performed this well since its release in the last quarter. It’s a reason to extend the lifespan of GTA Online and continue to provide fans with fun in multiplayer for a long time.
The release of GTA 5 was almost four years ago, and yet the game still breaks records today. According to the latest financial results from publisher Take-Two, the last fiscal quarter was particularly successful. Grand Theft Auto Online had the highest player counts since its release in June and July, and many of them are willing to spend money on the game.
The revenue from the multiplayer part of Grand Theft Auto V greatly exceeded the expectations of the publishers. As a result, GTA Online is expected to continue for much longer.
GTA Online – Running better than expected
In GTA 5 Online you can earn money by completing jobs as a President of a Motorcycle Gang or as a CEO. These jobs involve grinding and take a lot of time to get rich. An easier solution to increase your in-game currency is the purchase of so-called “Shark Cards”. These are credit cards that you can buy outside the game for real money to increase your digital balance.
With the GTA$ you can buy fast supercars, houses, bunkers, or similar content.
The business model of GTA 5 apparently works really well because the online service of GTA significantly contributed to the increase in net revenues for Take-Two. As the publisher explained, net revenues for the first quarter of the fiscal year increased by 34%. Instead of $311.6 million, it is now $418.2 million in the first quarter of this fiscal year.
Consumer spending numbers (including digital currencies, Shark Cards, etc.) rose significantly by 72% compared to last year and account for 63% of digital net revenues. The biggest contributors were Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto Online, as well as NBA 2K17, WWE SuperCard, and WWE 2K17.
More Lifespan for GTA Online
This increase in revenue is of course also pleasing the publishers, who are passing their joy on to the fans of the Grand Theft Auto series. The game is getting more “lifespan” and is expected to keep providing fun for you for a long time.
“In addition, due to the continued success of Grand Theft Auto Online and other factors, the Company has determined that it is necessary to extend the life of Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online for purposes of calculating deferrals.”
A year ago in June, there was still a statement from CEO Strauss Zelnick that Grand Theft Auto V would eventually be ended to give the franchise a break. That now seems farther away than ever. In June 2016, the publisher also expected that revenues would decline after three years – the opposite is true.
For the next fiscal year, Take-Two is counting on Red Dead Redemption 2 and an undisclosed title
