GTA Online’s latest heist raises concerns about the grind in GTA 6.

On paper, the newly released Kortz Center heist in Grand Theft Auto Online sounds like a thrilling addition. It promises a high-stakes robbery where players can gather intel and adapt their strategies in real-time. The update also brings exciting features, including a lavish art studio mansion expansion and sleek new sports cars. Most importantly, players were eager to dive into what was touted as the highest-paying mission in the game. However, now that the heist is live, many are finding that the overall experience of GTA Online has taken a hit.

The community’s concerns are significant enough that some players are starting to worry about the implications this heist might have for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.

To balance the Kortz Center heist, several so-called quality of life adjustments were made to the mission structure. The Kortz heist, along with others, offers the largest payout on a player’s first attempt each week. Rockstar claims that subsequent attempts “saturate the market and lead to buyer fatigue” for the loot acquired.

The intention behind this change is to raise the stakes and encourage players to explore a broader range of missions. However, many fans feel that Rockstar is pushing the Kortz Center heist by slashing the payouts for numerous other heists. The changes to the Cayo Perico heist have particularly riled players, as it was already viewed by some as one of the least rewarding missions in the game.

Cayo Perico didn’t always have this reputation. Initially, it was celebrated as one of the best heists in GTA Online, with payouts so lucrative that they disrupted the game’s economy. Since its launch in 2020, Rockstar has reduced the rewards for Cayo Perico twice, and the Kortz Center update marks the third reduction. Players have noted that even after completing Cayo Perico under an Elite challenge, the payout is now less than a million dollars, with the Pink Diamond loot target dropping from over $1.4 million to under $900,000.

While the Kortz Center heist itself is enjoyable, the community has labeled it as GTA Online’s “worst update ever.” The situation is exacerbated by the introduction of various bugs and the hefty cost of running the heist: $15 million if starting from scratch, or $4.7 million if the player already owns a mansion. Although Rockstar is offering millions for simply logging in and for having a subscription, the initial investment still feels steep compared to the rewards.

The Kortz Center has been such a letdown for GTA Online that players are increasingly anxious about what it might mean for GTA 6. Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 will be a single-player experience, suggesting that GTA Online will continue to operate. A new game is likely to attract a wave of players to GTA Online, and with GTA 6 just months away, any changes to the online component could signal a shift in how Rockstar approaches monetization.

Fans are particularly concerned that GTA 6 might lead to a worse experience for GTA Online. Given that one of the most expensive games ever made will retail for under $100, players fear that if Rockstar isn’t planning to extract more money from the base game, GTA Online (or its next version) will remain the company’s primary cash cow.

“I can’t even imagine how grindy GTA 6 Online is going to be,” one player lamented in a Reddit thread discussing the Kortz Center update.

“Just wait and see how aggressive the monetization in GTA 6 will be,” another player commented in a different thread.

“Really makes me worried for what they’re gonna do to GTA 6,” a third fan reflected.

Regardless of its commercial success or failure, Rockstar’s upcoming title could significantly influence the future of retail chains.