Well the topic is a bit harsh, there was 10 years I spent there in total, but I can't fault anyone I got along with, those who never tried to cause mental anguish. I've been online with GTAO, RDR Online less then a year when it became available, so I know even those experiences were amazing, but just not the same these days.
That's part of the reason I hope Rockstar don't sink all their time, people, money into Online, though I do think supporting it well at a bare minimum should be on the docket. That way you can take your time to explore the older games time and time again, if even for the first time in some cases.
Adding things can't continue ad infinitum since that clearly stopped with regard to GTA 4 and the DLC Episodes. The original augmentation of Red Dead Redemption as well, 4 installments of DLC IIRC, but basically moving on with new IP endeavors. Some or most we've yet to find out about.
I really wish they weren't so secretive trying to stay ahead of the Industry, I think it does pay off only in a minor way, other then keeping companies in the dark about their ideas for the future of gaming, assumed that ideas might be usurped.
As for GTAForums, I think the reason for the massive viewing activity and active members is because they got in on the Name Game that makes GTAF feel like a tie in directly with Rockstar Games, though there's no tie there at all.