Former Rockstar developer spills the beans on why GTA 5 story DLC was canned in favor of GTA Online
In an exclusive interview with SanInPlay YouTube channel, Joe Robino, a former senior camera artist and virtual cinematographer at Rockstar’s New York office, revealed the inside scoop on why the much-anticipated GTA 5 story DLC was scrapped. According to Robino, the success of GTA Online as a “cash cow” after the game’s launch in September 2013 played a crucial role in shelving the standalone DLC project.
Robino lamented the missed opportunity, expressing his disappointment at the decision to prioritize GTA Online over the story DLC, which he described as “kick ass.” The DLC, which featured Steven Ogg, the actor who portrayed Trevor Philips, in a key role, was praised by Robino for its quality and potential.
Despite the setback, Robino shared that elements of the canceled DLC eventually made their way into later iterations of GTA Online, indicating that the work was not entirely wasted. However, the decision to prioritize GTA Online over the story DLC left Robino feeling frustrated and questioning the choice made by the company.
Fans have long speculated about the content of the canceled story DLC, with actor Steven Ogg teasing that Trevor’s character would have gone undercover and worked with the feds. Data miners also uncovered references to a jetpack associated with Trevor, hinting at repurposed content for GTA Online.
Looking ahead, Rockstar is gearing up for the release of GTA 6 in fall 2025, raising questions about potential story DLC for the highly-anticipated game. With Rockstar’s focus shifting to the next installment in the series, fans are left wondering about the fate of GTA Online and how it will coexist with the new game.
In the interview, Robino also shed light on the grueling work environment at Rockstar during the development of GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The company faced criticism for its culture of crunch, but reports suggest efforts have been made to improve working conditions for the development of GTA 6.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits updates on GTA 6 and the future of the GTA franchise, the legacy of the canceled story DLC for GTA 5 remains a topic of interest and speculation among fans. Stay tuned for more developments in the world of Rockstar Games.
