GTA Online has come a long way since 2017. While loading times back then were about twice as long as they are now, many players fondly remember how easy it was to find populated lobbies for Land Races or Stunt Races using the Quick Job feature. This balance of slower loading but faster matchmaking made gameplay fluid and exciting.

The 2017 Experience: Loading Patience Rewarded
Loading GTA Online in 2017 took patience, with much longer wait times before entering the world of Los Santos. However, once in the game, players could quickly locate populated, active lobbies for races and stunts. The Quick Job system efficiently matched players to these game modes, avoiding empty sessions and keeping the action consistent.

Today’s GTA Online: Faster, But Less Social?
Today, GTA Online benefits from significantly reduced loading times thanks to better hardware, software updates, and optimizations. Yet, some veterans complain that it’s harder to find densely populated lobbies for specific activities like races and stunt challenges.

As GTA Online’s content has expanded, matchmaking has become more segmented. Players often find themselves in smaller, less active lobbies or spend precious time searching for others to race or compete against.

Would Old Matchmaking Make a Comeback?
Many players would gladly trade some of the expanded content today for a return to the 2017 style of matchmaking—slower load times but guaranteed lively race lobbies. The social energy and competition found in those quick, full lobbies kept GTA Online fresh and thrilling. In community discussions, some even look for cheap gta modded accounts to relive that sense of constant activity without worrying about long grinding hours.

Balancing Load Times and Matchmaking in GTA Online’s Future
There is a call among players for Rockstar to balance loading efficiency with robust matchmaking to maintain an active, social gameplay environment. This might mean optimizing Quick Job or similar features to ensure full lobbies for events while keeping loading times reasonable.

While modern GTA Online offers faster load times and vast new content, many players remember the simplicity and excitement of 2017’s matchmaking system. The quick, populated race lobbies made the wait worthwhile. As GTA Online continues to evolve, striking a balance between loading times and social matchmaking will be key to keeping the game engaging for all.