Data Released by Hackers
Just a day before their self-imposed ransom deadline, the hacking group ShinyHunters made the data they stole from Rockstar Games public. Members of the GTA Forums quickly began analyzing the content, but it appears those eagerly awaiting significant revelations about Grand Theft Auto 6 might find themselves disappointed.
Rockstar previously stated that "a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed," and the released data confirms that assessment. While there are some interesting insights, much of the information primarily revolves around sales figures and financials, showcasing Rockstar's impressive earnings from its online games.
Revenue Breakdown
A standout statistic highlights the stark contrast between earnings from Red Dead Online (RDO) and GTA Online. According to a post on the GTA Forums shared by Lexiture, verified by journalist Ben, RDO has generated average weekly revenues of over $500,000 from June 2024 to April 2026. This results in an estimated annual income of approximately $26.4 million. However, GTA Online dwarfs this figure, pulling in an astonishing $9.6 million per week during the same period, leading to a projected annual revenue of just under $500 million.
This significant disparity begs the question: why would Rockstar continue to prioritize GTA Online over RDO? The answer seems clear, considering the financial success of GTA Online.
Platform Performance
Another surprising revelation involves platform performance for GTA Online. The data shows that the PlayStation 5 commands the largest share, with nearly 3.5 million monthly active users and $4.5 million in weekly bookings. In stark contrast, the PC user base lags behind, boasting only 894,621 weekly active users and $264,273 in weekly bookings. Even Xbox One users are outperforming PC gamers.
This discrepancy may explain the ongoing wait for an official GTA 6 announcement for PC. It seems that Rockstar’s focus on consoles over PC is a strategic choice based on revenue potential.
Insights on Revenue Sources
Interestingly, three-quarters of GTA Online's massive income comes from the sale of Shark Cards, which are essentially bundles of in-game currency. This further supports the common understanding of successful free-to-play models: a small percentage of users, often dubbed "whales," generate the lion's share of revenue.
While the data provides some intriguing insights into Rockstar's financial landscape, it ultimately reinforces what many already suspected. Rockstar continues to earn heavily from GTA Online, while Red Dead Online appears to be stagnating, if not outright struggling.
Consequences for Hackers
The hackers' attempt to extort Rockstar for $200,000 now seems misguided, given the lack of substantial or sensitive information in the stolen data. They are left facing potential legal repercussions without any money or valuable insights about the future of GTA 6, which many had hoped would be included in the leaked data.
With Rockstar declining to comment on the situation, the developers can likely breathe a sigh of relief. They've managed to avoid paying the hackers and, in doing so, reinforced their stance on data security and the value of their proprietary information.