Grand Theft Auto Online is undergoing a significant change that could render the game unplayable for a segment of its PC user base.
As of January 30, 2024, Rockstar Games has confirmed it’s ceasing support for the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems, a decision echoing Microsoft’s earlier discontinuation of support for these versions. This move is set to impact a substantial number of users, considering that as of 2021, over 100 million PCs were still running on just Windows 7.
The decision from Rockstar Games, while likely to inconvenience some, isn’t without its precedent. Both Microsoft and Steam have already ended their support for these older operating systems, with Microsoft ceasing updates for Windows 7 back in 2020 and for Windows 8 in 2021. Similarly, Steam withdrew support for Windows 7 last year. With Rockstar’s announcement, any titles under the Rockstar Games umbrella, not just GTA Online, will be affected by this change. This means that players using the Rockstar Games Launcher or Steam on Windows 7 or 8 will face significant interruptions, with their games becoming potentially unplayable post the January 30 deadline.
For the players who are still using these older operating systems, the recommendation is clear: upgrade to a supported version, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11, as soon as possible. This isn’t only a matter of enjoying GTA Online but also a question of security. Continuing with an unsupported operating system like Windows 7 is a security risk, as Microsoft has not provided updates or patches for these versions for quite some time.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, have supported these operating systems longer than Microsoft itself. Moreover, the move to phase out older systems is a natural progression in the software lifecycle, as developers continually shift their focus to newer, more secure, and more capable platforms.
While the announcement doesn’t indicate any imminent cessation of support for console versions of the game, such as on the PS4 and Xbox One, it does raise questions about their longevity. Given that it’s begun phasing out its support for older platforms, it’s possible that the last-gen consoles could eventually follow suit, although with their still-large install bases, such a move may not come anytime soon.
For the millions still playing GTA Online and other Rockstar titles on older versions of Windows, the clock is ticking. By January 30, 2024, without an upgrade to a newer operating system, their experience of Los Santos may become a relic of the past. The onus is now on these players to ensure they migrate to supported platforms to continue their virtual criminal endeavors uninterrupted.
Rockstar Games is currently working on GTA 6. It’s unclear if GTA 6 will be released anytime soon, but the latest leaks suggest that it’s still set for a 2025 release. If it’s any consolation, the latest patent unearthed confirms plans to use lifelike animations for GTA 6.
