The takeover of FiveM by Rockstar Games has been completed and now the question arises: what happens next?
Rockstar Games Acquires FiveM: What’s Next for the Modding Scene?
Almost a year has passed since Rockstar Games acquired FiveM, the largest online modification platform. FiveM is home to some of the most popular roleplay servers, with over 100,000 daily active players. Alongside FiveM, RedM allows for modified online experiences in Red Dead Online, featuring custom missions, vehicles, and maps not found in the base game.
Prior to the 2023 acquisition, Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, attempted to shut down FiveM in 2015 by sending private investigators to the home of its founder, NTA, citing piracy concerns. Rockstar has long been opposed to modifications, frequently issuing takedown notices and even filing lawsuits against modders.
The acquisition news was a shock to the community and even to the founder himself. Insiders reveal that confidential discussions with Rockstar and Take-Two began in late 2022. Due to personal and professional struggles, NTA eventually agreed to the deal. On August 9, 2023, Rockstar Games finalized the acquisition, purchasing Cfx.re for an estimated $20 million. The Cfx.re team was integrated into Rockstar’s structure, with employees offered remote work or positions at nearby Rockstar studios.
Six months post-acquisition, NTA was dismissed from Rockstar Games for multiple contract violations, including erratic behavior that led to the temporary shutdown of FiveM. These events caused the acquisition payment to be reduced by half. The company environment deteriorated, and long-standing developers were dismissed due to ongoing internal conflicts.
At the same time, Rockstar had been developing its own proprietary modding platform, originally initiated in 2021 but later shelved. Sources now report that the project has been revived and is expected to launch later this year within GTA Online. This new tool aims to facilitate user-generated content, similar to FiveM, allowing Rockstar to maintain control over hosting, assets, and monetization.
The future of FiveM remains uncertain. While the team strives for stability, there is a lack of clear direction—especially with GTA 6 on the horizon. If Rockstar’s new modding platform proves successful, it may eventually replace FiveM entirely.
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