Grand Theft Auto V is doing great in 2025. After dropping the big "A Safehouse in the Hills" update, Rockstar's 11-year-old open-world beast jumped from 8th in November to 3rd most downloaded on PS5 in December. The PS4 version did even better, hitting 2nd in North America and 4th in Europe. For a game that came out when the PS4 was just starting, these stats are pretty amazing.
This isn't just a random spike. Based on Circana's Player Engagement Tracker, GTA V has been the 3rd most played game on Christmas Day for four years straight, from 2022 to 2025. While other big games come and go, Los Santos is still a holiday go-to for millions around the world.
The main reason for the December download boost is definitely Michael De Santa coming back in "A Safehouse in the Hills." After 12 years out of the picture and being the only GTA V main character not in Grand Theft Auto Online, the popular yacht fan, voiced by Ned Luke again, returned as a successful Vinewood movie producer, and tons of players jumped in.
The update added three luxury mansions you can buy, the first time in GTA Online that players can own real estates in Vinewood Hills. Even better, the hidden "Home Sweet Home" mission with Michael gives you $500,000 the first time and officially confirms the "Deathwish" ending from GTA V.
For long-time Grand Theft Auto fans, this story link between single-player and online is the sort of thing that keeps them hooked.
Besides Michael's comeback, "A Safehouse in the Hills" has real meat to it. The new mansions come with 20-car garages, private helipads including free helicopters, AI assistants you can choose from three personalities, and pets like dogs and cats you can adopt.
The community's reaction has been really good. After the big player numbers from the Halloween update, this mansions one shows that GTA Online players are still eager for meaningful new stuff.
GTA V's strong December is part of it still selling better than new games. The whole series has sold 450 million copies, making it one of the biggest in gaming history, and Grand Theft Auto VI should push it over half a billion fast.