November is here. Along with turning the clocks back, it brings us to within a little over two weeks of the planned release of “Grand Theft Auto VI.”
The long-awaited game is due out November 19, and players have been counting down for years. It’s been 13 years since the last main installment. Hard to believe “Grand Theft Auto V” turned 13 on September 17—old enough, in a way, to go see a PG-13 movie.
After such a long wait, there’s plenty of excitement for the new game, but also a lot of affection for the old one. That’s where the idea for the “Last Ride” comes in.
Proposed by members of the GTA community, the event would bring thousands of players together for one final drive around Los Santos, the fictional city inspired by Los Angeles in “GTA V,” on the night before the new game arrives. The idea has been spreading across social media and gaming outlets.
I’m sentimental about games, and I’ve been a fan of the series for years, so I understand the appeal. Still, the farewell framing feels a little overblown when you think about it.
“GTA V” isn’t going anywhere. On November 20, you’ll still be able to load it up on Xbox or PlayStation and cruise around Los Santos. I still play “GTA IV” nearly as often as its successor, and I doubt the new release will make me give up either game. If “GTA V” means that much to you, November 18 probably won’t be the last time you play it.
The symbolism is nice, but there’s no need to turn it into a funeral. When “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” came out, players didn’t suddenly throw away “Ocarina of Time.” In fact, interest in that game has lasted so long that a remake is due on Nintendo Switch 2 later this month.
This isn’t like “Madden” or “FIFA,” where a new edition can quickly make the previous one feel dated. “GTA V” has a world people love, along with all the memories they’ve made in it.
I’m not trying to spoil anyone’s fun. Take the last ride, enjoy it, and think back on the good times from the past 13 years. Just don’t assume “GTA V” is destined to sit untouched on a shelf once November 19 arrives.
