GTA 5 PS5 And Xbox Series X Versions: Upgrade Details, Cross-Progression, And More

Rockstar's celebrated open-world action game Grand Theft Auto V is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in March 2022, and many might be wondering if it will be a free upgrade for existing owners or if it won't. With a game this successful, it's unsurprising to learn that the upgrade will not be free. However, that doesn't mean you'll have to start from scratch in the new version.

The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S represent the third generation of consoles on which GTA V will be available, following the game's debut on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013. When GTA V originally expanded to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014--taking advantage of the increased horsepower of those systems to deliver a better experience overall--the game was released as a full-priced standalone title instead of a free upgrade for people who already bought the game originally.

With GTA V continuing to sell exceptionally well--it sold 5 million copies in the April-June quarter, propelling the game to 150 million sold overall--it stands to reason that Rockstar and parent company Take-Two will continue to ride the wave for as long as it makes commercial sense to do so.

While GTA V on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S may not be a free upgrade, Rockstar will release the new GTA Online standalone edition for free on PS5 for the first three months after launch starting in March 2022. Because of this, pricing varies between the systems. Typically $40, the Xbox Series X|S version is currently $20 prior to launch, while the PS5 version is $10 prior to launch, accounting for the free GTA Online inclusion on the platform.

The game will also support cross-progression via a "one-time migration," bringing both your single-player progress and your GTA Online progress to either the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.

GTA V for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will have a "range of technical and graphical improvements across the entire experience." This includes performance enhancements for some cars in GTA Online "and so much more," Rockstar says. We know this includes 4K resolution and 60fps gameplay, among other improvements.

The studio is calling the new edition of GTA V an "expanded and enhanced" version. A new trailer for the game shown during the PlayStation Showcase event didn't wow fans, however, and it became massively downvoted as a result.

GTA V for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S was originally set for release on November 11, but Rockstar recently shifted the game to March 15, 2022 to give the team more time for "polishing and fine-tuning."

In addition to GTA V for new platforms, Rockstar is believed to be working on Grand Theft Auto 6. A recent report said it might launch in 2025 and feature a Fortnite-style map that evolves over time. The game is said to be set in a modern-day Vice City. For more, check out GameSpot's roundup of all the big GTA 6 rumors.