Grand Theft Auto V's lasting success examined in new legacy lookback

IGN is revisiting the core Grand Theft Auto games ahead of the next installment, publishing a series of legacy pieces. The latest entry focuses on Grand Theft Auto V, which first launched in 2013.

The outlet notes the game's staggering commercial performance, citing over 230 million copies sold and revenue exceeding 10 billion dollars. The piece argues that raw numbers alone do not explain the title's enduring popularity.

According to IGN's analysis, a key factor is the game's sprawling, varied map of Los Santos and its surrounding countryside. The shift from the dense, gritty urban setting of Grand Theft Auto IV to the sun-bleached, diverse districts and open landscapes of San Andreas created a stark aesthetic departure.

The article highlights the game's defining innovation: the ability to switch in real time between its three protagonists Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. IGN states this system smartly exploits the large map by prodding players to explore different parts of the world through each character's unique lens.

The piece concludes that the combination of a densely detailed, authentic-feeling world and the innovative three-character structure has allowed GTA V to remain a benchmark for over a decade.