'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
GTA RP won't fade into obscurity like other trends, but it would be tough for Rockstar Games to maintain this popularity and momentum throughout 2021.
For those living under a rock, GTA RP is a huge craze and has been trending on Twitch a lot recently. It's essentially GTA 5 but modded to fulfill the needs of whatever RP server the player is playing on. The most popular one, NoPixel, has players living out a virtual life, akin to a game series like The Sims, except in the world of Grand Theft Auto.
Roleplaying is a broad subject, so some players find the aspect of watching another live out their virtual life a fascinating experience. It's vital to note that GTA RP has existed for a while, with some elements of it being prominent in GTA 4's community.
Trending
It never caught on like this recent craze, but there are reasons why GTA RP has become more successful in current years. However, despite all of this success, it won't last forever.
Can GTA RP sustain popularity and momentum through 2021?
Plenty of games come and go as the hot topic that is a "must-play" experience. Titles like Overwatch once served as that hot commodity, and even with a smaller fanbase compared to its prime, it's largely done well for itself.
Other games, like Fall Guys, have fallen off dramatically as the "must-play" game it once was. GTA RP is highly popular right now, but very few games stay on top forever.
It's implausible that a fan-made experience like GTA RP will be like League of Legends or CS: GO in that regard this year.
Most games die in popularity
It is an inevitable truth that most games never reach the peak they were once at. Roleplaying in GTA has existed long before 2021, but it wasn't even close to the popularity it has right now.
While that doesn't mean the concept of GTA RP isn't good, fans can infer that roleplaying, in general, isn't a must-have experience unless it has a solid foundation.
In GTA RP's case, Rockstar made most of the assets before 2021. As most people are aware of GTA 5 in 2021, thanks to its excellent marketing, GTA RP could piggyback off of its success.
Not only that, but the popular GTA RP servers were able to innovate and provide an experience distinctly unique from most GTA games in 2021. Due to that, GTA RP's rise in fame this year shouldn't be discredited.
However, there should be a concern when all big streamers move onto the next "flavor of the month" game. Trends can last longer than months, of course, but plenty of titles have become less popular on Twitch once similar events have occurred.
Considering GTA RP is a broad term and not decided by one person or company, there is hope that it will survive when that inevitable time comes. However, GTA RP's development is unusual and doesn't require the same intense level of work as GTA 5. This means that it won't need the same level of maintenance or work once-popular game like Fall Guys would require.
Even a game like Among Us, lasting as long as it did on top, has lost 100,000+ players, as per Steamcharts. Its numbers are still respectable for an online game, so GTA RP would likely see a similar drop unless something radical changes the formula in 2021.
Popularity and momentum
GTA RP's popularity and momentum are outstanding as of the end of March 2021. However, maintaining that reputation and momentum for the remainder of the year is a herculean task for most games.
Most are blessed to last a month, and only a few lucky games last for a few months at the top of the gaming world.
It is vital to note that GTA RP does utilize GTA assets, which means that as long as GTA is relevant, then GTA RP will also have some relevancy. Considering GTA 6 hasn't even been announced yet, then it's unlikely for a game like that to usurp GTA RP's immediate audience.
Despite that, it is unlikely for GTA RP to be the hot, new game for all of 2021.
GTA RP can't feel new forever
Despite it being a recent trend, there will come a time when some of the casual playerbase will move on to a newer game. Likewise, some of the big-name variety streamers will also shift to the next hot prospect.
Roleplaying is timeless in some ways, but GTA RP will have to adapt to its growing audience's desires. If it's just the same old things over and over again, it won't be easy to maintain all of its popularity and momentum throughout 2021.
GTA RP won't die as Realm Royale did as a trend, but it will be a smaller game than its current success by the end of this year.
Why GTA RP is great
One of the best ways for GTA RP to maintain its popularity and momentum throughout 2021 is by capitalizing on its strengths. There is no GTA game like it, but it's still going to need more updates to stay fresh.
What would be ideal for GTA RP is if more RP servers become popular in 2021, as relying solely on NoPixel is putting too many eggs in one basket.
As it stands right now, GTA RP is doing fantastic in 2021. Just as real life can feel different and exciting from another person's perspective, so can GTA RP from a virtual standpoint.
As long as streamers don't get bored of living a virtual life, as Chance "Sodapoppin" Morris did, then GTA RP should at least be able to maintain its popularity and momentum a little bit longer in 2021.
