Grand Theft Auto V
In a surprising turn of events, more Steam players are choosing to stick with the Grand Theft Auto V Legacy Edition rather than upgrading to the free Enhanced Edition that launched for PC in early 2025.
Enhanced Edition Struggles to Find Its Audience
The Enhanced Edition of Grand Theft Auto V finally arrived on PC in 2025, approximately three years after its release on current-generation consoles in 2022. Despite being offered as a completely free upgrade for existing owners of the Legacy Edition, player data indicates that more Steam users are continuing to play the older version of the game.
This lukewarm reception comes as a surprise considering the Enhanced Edition represents a long-overdue upgrade to Rockstar's 11-year-old open-world crime simulator. The updated version was designed to provide PC players with an equivalent experience to what console players have enjoyed since 2022.
Why Are Players Reluctant to Upgrade?
The hesitation to adopt the Enhanced Edition might be explained by several factors. According to related reports, the PC version of the Enhanced Edition has already received mixed reviews on Steam, despite attracting approximately 180,000 players. This suggests that performance issues or other technical concerns might be keeping players loyal to the more familiar Legacy Edition.
Some Intel users have reportedly needed specific driver updates to properly run the Enhanced Edition, which could be another barrier to adoption for certain players. The additional requirements may be deterring players from making the switch, even though the upgrade is free.
Looking Forward to GTA 6
This peculiar situation occurs as 2025 is widely expected to be the year when Grand Theft Auto V's highly-anticipated successor, GTA 6, finally releases. With the next installment of the franchise on the horizon, some players may see little value in adjusting to an enhanced version of a game they've been playing for over a decade.
The Enhanced Edition was meant to breathe new life into Grand Theft Auto V ahead of its successor's launch, offering improved visuals and performance. However, the player statistics suggest that many in the community are either satisfied with the Legacy Edition or waiting to invest their time in GTA 6 instead.
Technical Considerations
For those considering the upgrade, it's worth noting that Intel gamers may need to download an essential driver update specifically for playing the Enhanced Edition. This requirement highlights some of the technical hurdles that might be contributing to the slower adoption rate.
The Enhanced Edition promises to deliver the definitive Grand Theft Auto V experience on PC, with improvements that bring it in line with current-generation console versions. However, the community's response suggests that technical execution may not be meeting expectations.
A Tale of Two Editions
As Rockstar continues to support both versions of the game, it remains to be seen whether the Enhanced Edition will eventually overtake its predecessor in popularity. For now, the Legacy Edition continues to demonstrate remarkable staying power, even in the face of a free upgrade option.
This situation highlights the complex relationship between players and long-running games like Grand Theft Auto V, where familiarity and stability sometimes trump the allure of new features and enhancements.