Grand Theft Auto Online will come with GTA V next week, but won’t unlock until October 1st, giving everyone some time to get to know the ropes of GTA V’s world. And it’s that world that they’re aiming to take to the next level with the online component.
Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies told Game Informer that they’re aiming “to create an entire Grand Theft Auto world that consists of everything we’ve done or are going to do then let the player freely move between them”. So does that rule out the possibility another game after this instalment?
They’ve toyed around with the idea of Grand Theft Auto Online in the past – since GTA III in fact – but have only now realised their dreams along with GTA V. “We’ve always wanted to create a world with the complexity of a single-player Grand Theft Auto game with the addition of real players. We wanted a world where people could spend years without getting bored of playing the same content over and over.”
Years. Considering how GTA Online is coming exclusively (as of now) to PS3 and Xbox 360, and with the PS4 and Xbox One just around the corner, could Benzies be hinting at a next-gen release of the online component, if not the full game? “I think we’ve managed to achieve something very close to our dream,” he continues, so why wouldn’t they release that dream on upcoming consoles?
There are also a lot of other Online details in the six-page feature available in Game Informer, according to IGN, including that there will be over 500 missions available from launch, some of which are solo affairs but many which require teaming up. All of them take place after the conclusion of the single player story, so familiar faces may make an appearance and the online component may even spoil some things.
As you step into the online component, you’ll be met with your friends and Social Club crew members, though over time this will involve to include players of a similar skill to you and players from your region. Of course, you can handpick who appears in your game too. It certainly sounds like a persistent online world, though I feel the 16 player limit may hold it back somewhat.
Almost all activities available in V will be available in Online too, including “heists, missions, robberies, assaulting gang hideouts, hijacking armored vehicles, races” and more tame things such as “tennis, golf and base jumping”. These will be updated through Rockstar’s Social Club regularly.
While playing Online, your goal will be to collect as much cash as possible and buy properties, vehicles and other assets. ATMs are a necessity, as rival players can steal all your cash if you don’t have it banked, though you’re able to place bounties in order to get it back.
This all sounds absolutely incredible, I think I’m more excited for Online than I am for GTA V. Speaking of which, if you fancy winning a copy then you can enter our competition.
Source: Game Informer, via IGN
3shirts
I really am starting to suspect a next gen release. It makes sense that, if that is the case, they would try to keep it very quiet. That way they can sell you the upgrade (or even the full game again) later. If they announced it on next gen, a lot of people would just wait.
As for online, I think it sounds incredible and I just hope it lives up to the potential. Is there going to be a TSA crew?
Youles
Head to the forums, there are already a few TSA crews ;)
double-o-dave
Uh oh, I’m looking forward to this but I know I’m gonna go mental if some rival player steals my cash before I get chance to bank it. I may have to just go round stealing other peoples cash instead.
Youles
I’m gonna hang around at ATMS, jump people for their cash, then pay it in myself!
double-o-dave
I’ll see ya there. My pin is 007.
E8_BALL_
I’m on to you, i’ll be visting my local L.Santos branch with muscle either side.
I hope when you make inv only matches, they’re still ranked.
Benzies said he would eventually like to map the planet lol, so a next-gen GTA London could be on the cards.
3shirts
You are an evil genius! Great idea
hannes_truce
I had my first proper pang of excitement just now…
ron_mcphatty
Me too! Did yours leave a sticky mess?
bigchrissyc
I wonder if the properties are first come first serve or if you host then whatever you have bought is yours. I can imagine there being a next gen version. If not only the online component.
double-o-dave
I doubt it would be first come first served or the map would have to house millions of people & be the size of Earth itself.
tactical20
Less than a week to go!!
quinkill
Get into the TSA crew at the rockstar social club people!
Bilbo_bobbins
There has to be a next gen version, surely? Online sounds better than the actual single player I think. Looks amazing.
DJ Judas
I really wasn’t going to buy this, having convinced myself that it’ll be coming to PS4, and I really don’t want it to feel clunky like GTA4 did on consoles compared to PC.
However, I’m not so sure I can hold off at the moment!
DJ Judas
Preordered.
I am ashamed, and excited!
Bilbo_bobbins
that took 6 minutes to make up your mind lol
DJ Judas
It’s been bubbling for a while, just took a small push ;)
3shirts
Sounds like sex.
xdarkmagician
It sounds like they’re continuing the ideas from RDR online mode, which was incredibly fun. But this approach sounds awfully familiar to the GTA IV approach of releasing online mode later, which took alot of time to get running right. granted it was their first attempt at MP back then, but as ambitious as they sound I hope they can get it all to work quicker the GTA IV.
I don’t think anybody buys a GTA game for online, but that could change if they pull all of this off.
E8_BALL_
May even become a standalone in the future, sub based , or micro trans, hopefully the former.
Kennykazey
Shut up and take my money!