More than 12 years after its launch in 2013, GTA Online remains one of the most profitable live-service games in history. Recent data leaked from a Rockstar Games breach shows the game is still pulling in an average of $1.3 million per day from just Shark Cards and the GTA+ subscription service — and that’s during a period when the game is essentially coasting toward the launch of GTA VI.
The numbers come from internal financial records covering September 2025 through April 2026. During those roughly seven months, GTA Online averaged $9.59 million per week — or $1,319,322 every single day. Shark Cards alone accounted for the lion’s share (around $1 million daily), while GTA+ subscriptions added another $344,501 per day on average.
To put that in perspective: that’s nearly $500 million annualized from microtransactions in a game that hasn’t seen a major paid expansion in years. And this is on top of the billions GTA V has already generated through full-game sales.
Why the Money Never Stops Flowing
GTA Online’s success is a masterclass in live-service design. Rockstar has kept the game fresh with free updates — new heists, businesses, vehicles, and events — while the in-game economy is deliberately tuned to encourage spending. Players can grind for millions legitimately, but many opt for the convenience of Shark Cards, which let them skip the grind and buy supercars, properties, and weapons outright.
Take-Two Interactive’s official earnings reports back this up. Recurrent consumer spending (microtransactions, subscriptions, and DLC) consistently makes up 75–80% of the company’s total revenue, with GTA Online and GTA V listed as top contributors quarter after quarter. In fiscal year 2025 alone, the GTA franchise helped drive record net bookings even as the company prepared for GTA VI.
Meanwhile, GTA V itself has shipped over 225 million units worldwide as of early 2026 — one of the best-selling games of all time.
GTA Online vs. the Competition
For comparison, Rockstar’s other live-service title, Red Dead Online, generated far less during the same leaked period — roughly $507,000 per week on average. That’s still respectable, but it underscores how GTA Online’s Los Santos setting, constant updates, and cultural staying power have turned it into a perpetual money printer.
Even in 2026, with GTA VI confirmed for a November 19 release, players are still logging in daily. The game’s player-driven economy, social features, and endless customization options keep the virtual world feeling alive.
What Happens Next?
The leaked figures explain why Rockstar has taken its time with GTA VI — there’s simply no rush when the current game is still this profitable. Once GTA VI launches, many expect GTA Online to evolve (or perhaps rebrand) alongside it, possibly carrying over player progress or introducing cross-game features.
But even without major changes, the data is clear: GTA Online isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. In an industry obsessed with the next big release, this 12-year-old title is quietly generating hundreds of millions annually with relatively minimal new investment.
The lesson? Build a compelling world, give players endless things to do (and buy), and never underestimate the power of a well-tuned microtransaction economy.
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