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Rockstar has officially announced a free trial for Grand Theft Auto Online.
They made this announcement a few hours ago:
Play GTA Online for free on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, now thru Nov 17.
Experience the dynamic and ever-evolving online universe where you can rise from street-level hustler to kingpin of your own criminal empire. No PS Plus or Game Pass Essential required.
What Rumors Were Spreading Before This?
Yesterday, we reported on dataminers finding that the PlayStation Plus requirement was removed from Grand Theft Auto Online. Since then, a fan shared a message from Rockstar Support that confirmed this promotion.
Why Is Rockstar Doing This Now?
Obviously, this is happening because Rockstar and Take-Two need to manage the company’s and game’s reputation right now. The fans have taken the news of Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay very poorly.
There’s rampant speculation that the game would be delayed even further. While it’s true that Rockstar’s games frequently get delays, we don’t think those fans seriously expect or want to see that happen.
In any case, this must have been an easy choice to make. Grand Theft Auto Online is rumored to get an update to add mansions very soon, so this would be an easy way to get players in before that.
But Rockstar must know this isn’t what the fans wanted.
When Will Grand Theft Auto 6 Marketing Begin?
There are a lot of fans hoping to get a 3rd trailer, but Rockstar must surely be planning something bigger than that. We saw Microsoft pull out all the stops to market Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 last year.
Take-Two will similarly spend a lot on advertising for Grand Theft Auto 6. Like Call of Duty and Pokémon, it’s one of those franchises that can cross over across gamers to the mainstream.
There is already a lot of money in gaming, and consumers who identify as gamers. But these games are special, because fans have fond memories of them growing up.
But we haven’t gotten that advertising yet, and there’s a Occam’s razor explanation for it. Rockstar may not have that marketing campaign ready yet to go.
This could also explain why Rockstar has job openings for people who will make marketing materials on the game. This may ultimately be a blessing in disguise.
Take-Two’s marketing cannot depend on Grand Theft Auto’s popularity, and they know this. They have to turn around the sentiment when that marketing arrives, so they’re going to have to try harder too.
But that also means, we may be up for the greatest promotion Grand Theft Auto has ever seen in franchise history.
