Lots of Rockstar-related news has hit today, headlined by the addition of anti-cheat to GTA Online on PC.
A new update, out now for GTA 5 on PC, adds BattlEye Anti-Cheat for GTA Online. The patch notes are below.
This update, which has already sparked concern about mod compatibility in GTA Online, comes on the 11th anniversary of GTA Online, and years after the multiplayer focused game hit last-gen consoles and PC.
Why would Rockstar add anti-cheat to GTA Online now? It might have something to do with so-far unnanounced plans to release the GTA 5 next-gen update for the PC version of the game. There are reports that a leftover metadata file spotted after today’s changes to the Rockstar Games Launcher suggests Rockstar has been working on a “Gen9” version of GTA 5 for PC since earlier this year.
Steam App for #GTAV Gen9 version on PC.https://t.co/SuFCRYp30J https://t.co/B8H4HoeQTH
— Tez2 (@TezFunz2) September 17, 2024
GTA 5’s next-gen update released in April 2022 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S, but not PC. PC players have wondered whether Rockstar might add it to their version ever since.
There’s more. Reports indicate Rockstar accidentally included the metadata for its Western epic Red Dead Redemption on PC with today's launcher update.
Rockstar accidentally included the metadata for #RDR1 PC with today's launcher update too.
— Tez2 (@TezFunz2) September 17, 2024
Steam App for RDR1 PC:https://t.co/BKGFQR1b1F https://t.co/Rd1WRoxFI5
This isn't true, of course, as Red Dead Redemption is still only available on consoles despite launching in 2010, but the update to its official PlayStation description suggested movement behind the scenes. This after a datamine of developer Rockstar Games' website in May 2024 also mentioned a PC port.
"Experience the epic western adventures that defined a generation — now on PC for the first time ever," the PlayStation Store page read, as spotted by @Wario64 on X/Twitter. "Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde."
The post continued to mention further PC elements: "Featuring the complete single-player experiences of both games, including bonus content from the Game of the Year Edition, Red Dead Redemption features all of the 2023 console version upgrades plus PC specific enhancements including support for increased resolutions and framerates, multiple displays, and other accessories, plus spatial surround sound."
Rockstar is of course working on GTA 6, which currently has a release window of fall 2025. That’s on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S only at this point, with no PC version currently announced.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
