Grand Theft Auto 5 could arrive on VR next after Rockstar and Facebook recently announced GTA: San Andreas is coming to Oculus Quest. There are no concrete details regarding the new port of GTA: San Andreas, but naturally, this will likely be a first-person version of the beloved PS2-era game. There's no word on when it will release, but it seems safe to say it will probably come out sometime in 2022 or 2023.
That said, San Andreas is an interesting pick for Rockstar's first GTA VR game. After all, Grand Theft Auto 5 already has a first-person mode with fleshed-out car interiors, animations, models, and so forth. A lot of groundwork has already been done to bring it to life and while there's still plenty of work to be done to finish the job, it seems like a safer bet than a nearly 20-year-old game. Rockstar is remastering San Andreas for the upcoming GTA Trilogy releasing in November, so it will be a bit more modern, but the new art style may not hold up in a first-person POV if the developer uses the remaster for the VR port.
Rockstar has already taken a crack at VR once before with a scaled-back version of LA Noire. The VR version included a handful of cases built specifically for VR, acting as a bit of a tech demo for a potential Rockstar VR game. San Andreas will be the first full-blown VR game from Rockstar and there's a possibility it could lead into a VR version of GTA 5.
Why Grand Theft Auto 5 On VR After San Andreas Seems Likely
The acclaimed developer hasn't confirmed any additional VR titles beyond GTA: San Andreas, but Rockstar seems to be investing in VR. Last year, a LinkedIn post from developer Video Games Deluxe noted that it was working on a "groundbreaking" open-world VR game with Rockstar. It seems unlikely Rockstar would spend so much time and resources to develop a VR game if it was just a one-off. Given Rockstar has already made another VR game, it's possible it will continue to make ports of its games in the rather expansive and new medium.
It stands to reason that Grand Theft Auto 5 will also likely make the jump at some point. Rockstar has carried it across multiple generations and the game hasn't lost any notable momentum in terms of sales or engagement. GTA 5 is being remastered again in 2022 and Rockstar has plans to continue the regular content updates for years to come on these new platforms. It's one of the biggest games of all time, and it seems like the developer wants to get it in front of as many people as possible and also convince veteran players to buy it again.
If San Andreas is a success on Oculus Quest 2, perhaps Rockstar will try and tackle GTA 5 for VR next. It would be at least one way Rockstar could justify selling the game again since it would be an entirely new experience, but it will likely be quite a while before it ever happens if the developer opts to go through with it. As of right now, it's not even clear if San Andreas will come to other VR platforms, so a potential GTA 5 on VR is likely a long way off.
What Other Rockstar Games Could Come To VR After GTA: San Andreas?
Rockstar has a wealth of games that could make for wonderful additions to the ever-growing VR library. Of course, the developer could make an all-new original game for the device as well. With the upcoming GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, Rockstar could bring the other two mainline PS2-era GTA games to VR. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City would look absolutely fantastic in VR with its neon-soaked streets and incredible '80s aesthetic, for instance.
Rockstar could also use VR to revive old IPs that haven't had new releases in years, just like it did with LA Noire. One of the most compelling games could be Max Payne as shooters tend to thrive in VR. Max Payne is already one of the most engaging and well-made shooters out there, so to take it up a notch and allow players to re-experience that trilogy with a new POV would be fantastic. Max Payne 3 is often highly regarded for its fantastic gunplay, so it would fit really well in VR.
Rockstar is also reportedly planning a remaster of Red Dead Redemption in the event that the remastered GTA trilogy is a success. The prospect of possibly also getting a VR version of Rockstar's acclaimed western is just as exciting. Both Red Dead Redemption games are incredibly atmospheric and textured, making them more than appropriate for a sensory experience like VR.
There are many other titles that would be just as fitting, such as the Midnight Club series and Bully. The idea of street racing in VR with Rockstar's expert level of polish is wonderful. Even just taking classes and exploring Bullworth in a VR version of Bully would make for one of the better games to come to the medium. Many of Rockstar's games could actually translate quite well into VR, which makes something like GTA 5 in VR sound especially enticing.
What Would GTA 5 Look Like In VR?
It was recently confirmed that GTA 5 has sold 150 million copies, so a large portion of gamers has played the open-world crime epic. Given the game already has a first-person mode, the foundation for VR is already there. There's still more work to be done, such as the intricacies of immersion by allowing the player to change weapons, the radio, and do other things without opening an intrusive menu.
This would also allow players to actually see the purpose in some of the more hollow side activities like yoga, tennis, and biking. With motion controls, not only will it be more fun, but the player will actually get a physical workout of it as well. Rockstar's acclaimed game is also filled to the brim with details and bombastic setpieces, so it would be a pretty surreal experience and one that would probably come close to rivaling the innovative Half-Life: Alyx. Whether or not Grand Theft Auto 5 in VR ever happens remains to be seen, but if Rockstar sees demand for VR games after San Andreas, it seems likely to happen.