Rockstar Games have released a new GTA Online update which removes a much-loved feature from the game on older platforms and changes to Achievements/Trophies. The removal comes a month after the game studio announced it would be taking this action. The company did give fans this period of time to export all of their clips saved in-game too.
For almost a decade, many community members have created incredible short films using the Rockstar Editor on the Xbox One and PS4. It arrived around 18 months after the initial release of GTA V and these versions of the game have certainly been the most played.
As of Tuesday 20th February, the Rockstar Editor is no longer part of GTA Online on the Xbox One or PS4. The removal of such a feature has and will raise questions about impact on other features in the game and GTA Online’s future.
Community members have wondered if this is the end of GTA Online updates for last gen or will this mean all achievements are now unobtainable? Thankfully Rockstar Games have clarified these questions. We’ll have all of the details below.
Rockstar Games reveal why they’re removing their Editor
Rockstar Games say in a page on their support website that this “change is necessary to allow us to support ongoing updates to these games on both platforms.” Based on this wording, Rockstar will be able to release content and support the last gen consoles a bit longer. This will help keep the game’s core upcoming content on all currently supported platforms.
Why would features have to be removed?
We can speculate removing the Rockstar Editor likely frees up some of the of RAM (Random Access Memory). Developers only have so much to work with and if new content is to be added to a game, more is used.
This can allow Rockstar to introduce more content to GTA Online on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Rockstar have released new GTA Online content for over a decade now so it is no surprise last gen is running out of room.
There is also a chance that it takes a lot of resources to maintain in terms of bug fixes, exploits and such. As a piece of software ages, there more vulnerable it tends to become. Some of the effort in supporting this mode might be better spent elsewhere.
How did Rockstar Games come to this conclusion?
As for why the Editor was chosen to end up on the cutting room floor, it is probably down to how many people use it. Rockstar will have the data to see just how much a feature is being used. With so many players moving to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC versions, in-game filmmakers likely are part of that flock.
The fact that Rockstar Games decided to make this decision really goes to show just how many people are still logging into GTA Online to check out content on last gen consoles. Another point to consider is the Rockstar Editor does not make them money whereas new content updates do.
How long Rockstar will continue to release new GTA Online content for PS4 and Xbox One remains to be seen. The game typically get’s 2-3 large DLCs per year and I think many fans would love to see the support continue until GTA VI comes out.
The game recently hit 195 million copies sold and continues to be one of the most downloaded games on the PS4. If those players are still buying Shark Cards, it is evident Rockstar want to keep making content to sell on last gen.
What about Achievements and Trophies that are earned via Rockstar Editor?
The same Rockstar Support article covering the removal also addresses concerns surrounding Achievements and Trophies. Rockstar state “Achievements and Trophies previously unlockable through the Rockstar Editor will also be unlockable using Director Mode as part of this update.”
This means if you still want to get the Achievements and Trophies previously unlocked through the Rockstar Editor, you are still able to but you’ll need to use GTA V’s Story Director Mode.
The changes have not only been made to the PS4 and Xbox One but also the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions. This possibly down to the platforms requiring the same Achievements/Trophies on both last gen and current gen. These changes have not been made to the PC version.
The new Achievements and Trophies criteria are as follows:
- Vinewood Visionary: Create and export a video using the Rockstar Editor OR Enter Director Mode five times as any unlocked actor.
- Majestic: Create and export 10 videos using the Rockstar Editor OR Enter Director Mode ten times as any unlocked actor.
Patch Notes
For the full patch notes of this GTA Online update including how a new AI-powered moderation tool has been added, check out our comprehensive article here.
To keep up to date with every GTA Online news update, make sure to check back to RockstarINTEL and sign up to our newsletter for a weekly round-up of all things Rockstar Games.
GTA V cast signing
Fans of GTA V, we’ve caught wind of an autograph signing livestream event with some of the cast members. The incredible talent behind Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Lamar Davis are participating.
If you’d like to get a print signed by these actors on a livestream along with a video message and more, check out the event here. It will take place virtually on April 11th. Note: All orders will help support this website as we’ll receive commission.
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3 Comments
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Me an my brother grew up playing it
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