Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) - about the game: history, sales, GTA Online and statistics (2026)
Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure from Rockstar Games, released in September 2013 on PS3 and Xbox 360, later on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and new consoles. One of the best-selling games in history (over 200 million copies). The game offers three main protagonists and the huge open world of Los Santos.
What is the game about
Los Santos — a city of sun, stars, and crime. Three heroes: Michael — a former bank robber living in witness protection; Franklin — a young street gangster dreaming of a big score; Trevor — a psychopath and Michael's former partner. Their paths cross in a series of heists and crimes.
Gameplay
- Three characters: switch between Michael, Franklin, and Trevor at any moment.
- Heists: plan robberies — choose approach, crew, and weapons.
- Open world: explore Los Santos and Blaine County — from beaches to desert.
- GTA Online: massive multiplayer with heists, races, and business.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. GTA V is the benchmark for open worlds and criminal action. The story is interesting, gameplay varied, and GTA Online is still supported. Waiting for GTA VI, but the fifth entry remains a must-play.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three interesting heroes | Online full of microtransactions |
| Huge open world | Outdated graphics |
| Varied gameplay | Story sometimes jumps |
FAQ
Do I need to play previous GTA games? No, the story is not connected.
How many hours? 25–30 hours story, endless online.
On new consoles? Yes, PS5 and Xbox Series version with enhanced graphics.
GTA V through photorealism
Nvidia's DLSS 5 has literally turned the game into a film: neural frame reconstruction removes noise, pulls in lighting detail and makes Los Santos indistinguishable from a movie set.