While the game saw a massive surge during the 2020 lockdowns, 2022 marked a period of remarkable stability. ~15.8 to 16.8 million players.

The rise of roleplay servers (often tracked via FiveM) created a second life for the game on platforms like Twitch, where it consistently ranked as one of the most-watched titles.

Major updates like "The Contract" (featuring Dr. Dre) and "The Criminal Enterprises" kept the world fresh with new heists, businesses, and quality-of-life improvements.