Rockstar has finally unveiled the GTA 5 extended and enhanced (E&E) release date, eyeing March 15, 2022. The company made the announcement via Twitter on Friday morning, adding in a section of how best to transfer save data for the next-generation Grand Theft Auto experience.
As the name would suggest, GTA 5's E&E will feature much-needed next-generation platform upgrades in the form of heightened graphics, faster loading times, steady 60 fps, improved texture and draw distances, as well as an included 4K resolution mode.
On PlayStation, it will likewise have all the added PS-exclusive bells and whistles, including both 3D audio and DualSense haptic feedback. Both platforms will likewise have a raytracing mode for increased shadows, lighting, and reflections in-game. The E&E of GTA 5 will also have additional story content, says Rockstar, though no word exactly on what it will entail.
Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on March 15.
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) March 4, 2022
Learn how to transfer Story Mode progress now, plus first details on GTA Online profile migration, pre-load timing, and more: https://t.co/wWSBPcdcVD pic.twitter.com/fvmi1i9TcX
Unfortunately, while most competitors like CD Project Red and FromSoftware are offering free upgrades to games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden RIng, GTA 5 on the other hand will not share in this reality, despite it now being nearly a decade since it first released. The GTA 5 E&E will most likely cost around $69.99 per typical next-gen releases, but Rockstar has refrained from commenting officially on pricing just yet.
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In the time since its original debut, which occurred on the PS3 and Xbox 360 systems all the way back in 2013, Rockstar has made a whopping $6 billion as of November 2021 on GTA 5. It's online component has been its most driving force of action, accruing the studio a jaw-dropping $2.5 million a day. To say GTA 5 is a behemoth would be an understatement.
Despite the massive appeal of the franchise and the upgraded aspects behind this forthcoming release, some fans aren't all as keen as others when it comes to the GTA 5 E&E. Its debut trailer, which dropped in September of last year amid a PlayStation State of Play, proved to be so detested it racked up several thousands worth of dislikes - that is, before YouTube later disabled the function entirely.
With its forthcoming next-gen upgrade being met with fierce distaste, the most recently released GTA Trilogy remaster was intended to hopefully quell the ongoing fire against the studio, but it likewise only amplified the issues surrounding Rockstar. While it was great fun to reenter the age-old worlds of Vice City, Liberty City, and San Andreas, the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition did not meet expectations.
The next-gen upgraded port of GTA 5 will, hopefully, put the malediction to rest for Rockstar, but as it stands the company clearly only sees profits in the face of fan enjoyment. Look no further than Red Dead Redemption 2 and its online component, which has been in the throes of an ongoing social media campaign, aptly coined #SaveRedDeadOnline.
Little in the way of movement has been broached by Rockstar in amending the game's several issues, much to the dismay of the fandom. But, at least they have GTA 5 E&E to look forward to quite readily.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Extended and Enhanced releases for both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 on March 15.
