Twitch CEO: GTA 6 launch won't affect GTA 5's 'popularity'

Twitch

CEO

Dan Clancy

believes that

Grand Theft Auto V

(GTA 5) will maintain its popularity on the streaming platform, even after the highly anticipated launch of

GTA 6

. Speaking at a recent The Game Business Live event, Clancy highlighted the unique and enduring appeal of

GTA 5

's roleplaying (RP) community as the key factor. Despite being released in 2013, the older GTA V continues to draw significant viewership on Twitch, accumulating a remarkable 1.4 billion hours watched in 2024 alone. Clancy explained that this sustained engagement to the game's expansive and creative RP scene, where streamers develop intricate characters and narratives. He also noted that this “improv theater” aspect keeps audiences captivated for extended periods.

What is GTA V’s roleplaying community and what Dan Clancy thinks about it

GTA RP

offers a viewing experience that differs from traditional competitive games like Call of Duty or League of Legends, which often require some familiarity with gameplay mechanics. Instead, GTA RP focuses on entertainment through unscripted storytelling, allowing audiences to watch streamers engage in spontaneous and often dramatic or humorous roleplay.

No prior gaming knowledge is needed—viewers simply watch characters interact in unpredictable, real-time scenarios.Some, like Clancy, view this format as a form of digital performance art. He suggests that it could even be studied in theatre programs for its narrative depth and improvisational aspects. For many participants, this goes beyond gaming—they create and inhabit detailed characters, performing live for an audience.Despite growing excitement for GTA 6, the RP community may not transition to the new game immediately. With the May 2026 release scheduled only for consoles, and no confirmation from Rockstar about mod support or PC tools, streamers may continue using GTA V for RP. Clancy estimates that RP-compatible mods may take 6 to 18 months after PC launch to become available. Until then, Twitch streamers and roleplay enthusiasts are expected to remain with GTA V, where the RP infrastructure already exists.