Rockstar Games has updated its website by removing the Social Club branding, likely in preparation for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. According to a report from @videotechuk_ on Twitter, the company has replaced the term ‘Social Club members’ with ‘Rockstar Games’ and eliminated references to Social Club altogether. Although the previous logo has been retired, players can still access multiplayer features and earn member-exclusive rewards in titles such as Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. The future direction of Rockstar in terms of online platforms remains unclear, with speculation about either launching a new service or enhancing the existing application, while remnants of the old branding persist within the games.
“Most of the Social Club mentions are gone, completely. An end of an era,” the tweet highlights, comparing the old and new information pages, which now identify subscribers as ‘Rockstar Games members.’ Additionally, the classic black and yellow Rockstar logo has transitioned to a monochromatic black-and-white version. Sam Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar, previously announced that the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to debut in early December, coinciding with the studio’s 25th anniversary celebration. Anticipation surrounds the potential release of this trailer during The Game Awards 2023 on December 8, despite Rockstar’s history of managing its announcements through its own official channels rather than third-party events.
It may appear Rockstar Games are gearing up to sunset the Social Club and launch a new platform. Today the new changes to the Rockstar Games websites brought a new change to the naming scheme of the Social Club to the ‘Rockstar Games Platform”. pic.twitter.com/XYVhd1xXtc
— Ben (@videotechuk_) November 20, 2023
Since revealing that Grand Theft Auto 6 is under development in 2022, Rockstar Games has remained notably quiet about any updates. The game is rumored to be set in a fictionalized version of Miami and to feature two main characters. Parent company Take-Two’s earnings report suggests the game might launch in the fiscal year 2025, beginning in April 2024. The studio has also faced a significant data breach, which leaked footage of gameplay that showcased the main protagonists—a man and a woman—during a daytime heist at a diner. This installment marks the first time the franchise will feature a female lead, with storylines reportedly inspired by the real-life criminal duo, Bonnie and Clyde, known for their bank heists during the Great Depression.
Since its release 11 years ago, Grand Theft Auto V has been sustained by minor performance updates for multiple console generations and the ever-popular GTA Online, providing a continuous stream of multiplayer content for gamers. As of October, the title has achieved sales of 190 million copies globally. Interestingly, a dataminer has uncovered indications of a potential sequel to Bully, a game that has been the subject of speculation due to a leaked motion capture casting call focused on teenagers—though Rockstar has yet to comment on these rumors.
It is anticipated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will debut on the current-generation PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X before reaching the PC platform, following the trend of previous releases by Rockstar.
