Rockstar's latest iteration of Grand Theft Auto 5, known as GTA 5 Enhanced, has hit a rough patch on Steam since its launch in early March. Released on March 4, this updated version has garnered a 'mixed' user review rating, with only 54% of the 19,772 reviews being positive. This is in stark contrast to the original GTA 5 on Steam, which, despite being unlisted at Rockstar's request and thus not appearing in search results on Valve's platform, enjoys a 'very positive' rating.

Interestingly, GTA 5 Enhanced has become the lowest-rated GTA game on Steam, even falling below Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition, which has a 66% positive review score. GTA 5 Enhanced offers a free upgrade for PC players, bringing features that were exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions of GTA Online, such as access to Hao’s Special Works, animal encounters, and the ability to purchase a GTA+ Membership. The update also promises enhanced graphics options and quicker loading times. All existing GTA 5 PC owners can upgrade at no cost and migrate their Story Mode and Online progress.

Every Celebrity in GTA 5 and GTA Online

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However, the process of migrating accounts has proven to be problematic for many players, contributing significantly to the negative feedback. Frustrated users have reported issues such as being unable to migrate their GTA Online profiles, with one player stating, "‘The GTA Online profile associated with this Rockstar Games account is not eligible for migration at this time,’ If you think I'm throwing away nearly 700 hours of gameplay on one character so that you can make a few more bucks off me, then you can lick my anal orifice clean. This is an objective downgrade from the ‘old’ version. Gonna pretend this was never released and continue to enjoy Legacy version until the new game comes out when I'm 60."

Another user expressed their disappointment, saying, "I'm leaving a negative review mainly due to Rockstar deciding that some accounts should arbitrarily not be able to migrate, and if you ask for help from support, they just say they can't do anything about it." Similarly, another player noted, "I can't migrate either of my two accounts. R* support is completely useless and can't help. With the game being over 10 years old I am sure as hell not going to completely restart all my progress in Online just to get marginally better graphics (if that) and HSW and whatever other minuscule they added."

Despite these challenges, GTA 5 Enhanced has maintained a strong player base on Steam, reaching a peak concurrent player count of 187,059 since its launch. However, the issues have raised concerns among PC gamers about the future release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC, given Rockstar's current struggles with GTA 5 Enhanced.

GTA 6 is slated for release in the fall of 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, leaving PC gamers waiting. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to explain why GTA 6 is coming to PC after its console release, urging PC gamers to give the studio the "benefit of the doubt" regarding its launch strategy.

For more on GTA 6, check out Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick’s response to concern about the fate of GTA Online once GTA 6 comes out. Meanwhile, Take-Two has taken legal action against online marketplace PlayerAuctions, accusing it of hosting "thousands of listings for unauthorized, infringing GTA 5 content – including heavily modified player accounts, in-game assets, and virtual currency – all gained by using hacking software, cheats, and technical exploits."

In other news, Rockstar has recently acquired Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition developer Video Games Deluxe, renaming it Rockstar Australia.