I don't think GTA is becoming less popular and I am one of those few people who absolutely loved GTAIV and am playing the episodes as we speak. The only thing that really bugged me about the game is the fact that you can do nothing with the money earned after beating the game. Just buy clothes I guess.
I knew R* were going to tone down GTA at the beginning of this gen bec if you look at the trend GTA has been following. The first title begins slow then the next installment adds more stuff and upgrades and finally they go out with a bang (that's what happened with III, vice city and then SA)
I think the next GTA is going to keep all the improvements made to GTAIV but add all the wacky stuff and that fun factor as well. Like airplanes, real tanks, big areas and so on.







