5 reasons why GTA Online won't likely get a Summer DLC 2025

Rockstar Games released the GTA Online winter DLC in December 2024, and fans are now looking forward to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. When it comes to GTA Online, the studio releases two DLCs every year, typically during summer and winter. However, since the GTA 6 release window is scheduled for fall 2025, we may not get a GTA Online Summer DLC this year.

This article lists five possible reasons why Rockstar Games may not release a GTA Online Summber DLC in 2025.

Note: This article is subjective and only reflects the writer’s opinions.

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5 possible reasons why there might not be a GTA Online Summer DLC in 2025

1) To finalize the GTA 6 release

GTA 6 is undoubtedly the priority project for Rockstar Games at this moment (Image via Rockstar Games)

Rockstar Games has been developing GTA 6 for years and will seemingly release it in 2025. It has also been said that the studio has channelized a majority of its developers to work on the upcoming game.

Developing a new DLC for GTA Online also requires a considerable amount of manpower as it has to include new missions, cars, and other changes. Therefore, it is highly likely that Rockstar might skip the Grand Theft Auto Online Summer DLC 2025.

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2) The player base is declining

Grand Theft Auto Online players are now switching to other games (Image via Rockstar Games)

Even though GTA Online is one of the most popular multiplayer games, its player strength has noticeably declined, when compared to the early days. The multiplayer game is over a decade old and many OG fans have shifted to other video games.

You can also notice the declining player base as mission lobbies take a while to fill up. Considering these scenarios, Rockstar Games may ditch the idea of releasing another DLC for the game.

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3) The DLC sizes are gradually getting smaller

Even though Rockstar Games has been releasing new DLCs every six months, the update sizes are getting smaller. The recently released GTA Online Agents of Sabotage DLC is considerably small and can be completed within a day. At the time of writing this article, there are only four new DLC missions and two new side missions.

This can be a tactic to make players accustomed to less content, just so Rockstar can stop releasing DLCs permanently. Therefore, it seems likely that there won't be a Summer DLC 2025 for Grand Theft Auto Online.

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4) To transfer the player base to the new game

Rockstar Games has high hopes for Grand Theft Auto 6 (Image via Rockstar Games)

Both Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games want Grand Theft Auto 6 to be a hit since day one. The parent company has set high revenue goals for the upcoming period, and it is understandably targeting the GTA 6 release.

However, releasing new DLCs for GTA Online can potentially keep people from playing GTA 6. Hence, Rockstar Games may not release the Summer DLC 2025 to shift players to the newer title.

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5) The DLC hype quickly fades nowadays

While Rockstar Games leaves no stone unturned to promote its new DLC releases, the hype among fans is not the same as before. Earlier, players used to talk about new DLC content for weeks. However, nowadays, the hype fades within a week and everyone goes back to their regular in-game grind.

The Agents of Sabotage DLC also faced the same response, as players were more interested in GTA 6 than the new content. Therefore, Rockstar Games may not come up with a Summer DLC 2025 and focus on releasing the upcoming game as soon as possible.

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