Sometimes in the gaming industry, gamers just know something is in development before it’s ever confirmed. This could be due to a cliffhanger, sales, general popularity, or just a general sense. For example,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderfans have long believed a sequel was in development, with EA essentially confirming it a few months ago. It is now expected to be announced atthe Star Wars celebrationlater this year.
This general sense has long led many to believe thatMario Kart 9andGrand Theft Auto 6are in development. Now, these games are two completely different worlds, with the “worst” thing inMario Kartbeing the blue Spiny Shells andGrand Theft Auto…well, suffice to say, there are a lot of “bad things” that happen inGrand Theft Auto. Despite their content being opposites, these two franchises share one thing in common: the fate ofMario Kart 9andGrand Theft Auto 6.
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This comparison does carry one big caveat.Grand Theft Auto 6has been confirmed by Rockstar Gamesafter years of speculation, but that does not mean it’s coming out anytime soon.Mario Kart 9is not confirmed to be in development, but when looking at fans talk about it, one would be forgiven for thinking it was. The pre-development circulation of these two games is wildly similar.
Rockstar May Have Confirmed GTA 6, But It’s in No Rush to Release It
The past several years have seen Rockstar releaseGrand Theft Auto 5in as many ways as it can, including recent PS5 and Xbox Series X enhancements. This comes back to one reason: sales. DespiteGTA 5first releasing nearly 9 years ago, it continues to top sales charts. It is, in fact, themost profitable entertainment product of all time. With sales like that, Rockstar doesn’t really need to releaseGrand Theft Auto 6.
It’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely, thatGrand Theft Auto 6can replicate the first game’s success. No doubt that’s the goal, but that is some incredibly high standards. Sales-wise, nothing else in the industry really compares. Many will flock to the release ofGrand Theft Auto 6, but the most likely scenario is that this pulls players away fromGTA 5.GTA Online,perhaps the most profitable element of the franchise, should be safe since it’s a standalone release, but at the same time, Rockstar probably doesn’t want to undercutGTA 5withGTA 6.
One more thing worth mentioning is that Rockstar confirmedGTA 6’s development earlier this year, again nearly 9 years after the release. However,GTA 6rumors, speculation, and “leaks”have been on the internet long before that.Grand Theft Auto 6has been a standard talking point for a long time, not unlikeMario Kart 9(if perhaps more drastically).
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Mario Kart 8 Means There’s No Rush for Mario Kart 9
Mario Kart 8may not be the most profitable entertainment product of all time, but its sales mean for Nintendo whatGTA 5’s sales mean for Rockstar—there’s no need to rush. Nintendo recently released an earning statement, confirming what many already knew: 2017’sMario Kart 8 Deluxeis still one of Nintendo’s best-selling Switch games, selling nearly 10 million copies over the past year or so.
Recently, Nintendo commented that the next console generation is a major concern for it. Much likeMario Kart 9andGrand Theft Auto 6, this is in part due to whether or nota new Switch modelor entirely new product could live up to the success of the Switch. It set high standards,Grand Theft Auto 5set high standards, andMario Kart 8set high standards. There’s no rushing in the next entry for another, with eitherGTA 6orMario Kart 9.
Mario Kart 9may not have as many years of rumor and speculation behind it, but the past year or so has seen this pre-development cycle begin.Mario Kart 9has been rumored to be in development, rumored to appear at Nintendo Directs, and much, much more. Even ifMario Kart 8’s recent DLC spells bad news forMario Kart 9making an appearance soon, there’s no doubt it will remain a talking point possible for years to come.
Mario KartandGrand Theft Automay be completely different franchises, but there’s no doubt the next entries in both franchises,Mario Kart 9andGrand Theft Auto 6, find themselves in a similar boat. Fans want them, but the company is in no rush to release them.
Grand Theft Auto 6is in development.Mario Kart 9is not confirmed to be in development.
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