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Take a convoluted trip to North Yankton via this GTA Online glitch
A GTA Online glitch reveals the snowy streets of North Yankton can be found in the online component of Grand Theft Auto 5, suggesting the area may feature (officially) in some future update. North Yankton, if you recall, is the state in which the very first mission takes place, set some nine years before the main events of the game. If you fancy revisiting the area in GTA Online, this CVG video shows you how to get there. To summarize, you'll have to replay that prologue mission, then get to a certain point and stand in a certain place, then get a friend to invite you into a GTA Online closed session. After that you'll have to call a helicopter, and head to some mountains floating surreally in the bottom right of the map. Simple, no? Well no, no it's not, but it is a bit clever. Anyway, get your snow boots on while you still can, because it seems likely Rockstar will shut off the route in a future patch.
Grand Theft Auto Online hidden audio files divulge possible DLC
Buried in the Beach Bum DLC for Grand Theft Auto Online is a smattering of audio files that hint at possible future DLC packs, including mentions of spying, a camera phone upgrade, racing for pink slips and casinos. The audio files were picked up by YouTuber Franken Stein and shared with NeoGAF by Allenous. There's no word if these audio files are part of something larger, but listening to the disparate, nonsensical voices reminds us of all the family meals we're having this holiday weekend.
GTA Online rifles and accessories are half-off this weekend
Rockstar is bringing holiday cheer to Grand Theft Auto 5 with a couple of discounted pieces of in-game content for GTA Online. Players can celebrate Thanksgiving with half-off deals for all rifles and rifle ammo and attachments, specifically the game's assault, carbine, heavy, advanced and sniper rifle weapons. The sales start tomorrow and last through December 1. Additionally, Rockstar discounted all black-colored clothing, accessories and vehicle modification items to celebrate Black Friday by 50 percent (though the sale for these items are also good through December 1). The vehicle modification items include window tinting, black license plates and black tire smoke for your car of choice.
GTA 5 getting beach vehicles and job creation tools in November
In addition to its announcement of a delay in issuing the "stimulus package" for GTA Online, Rockstar revealed that the first content update for Grand Theft Auto 5 will arrive in November. First announced in September, the Beach Bum Pack and first part of the GTA Online Content Creator will launch next month. The Beach Bum Pack offers four beach-themed vehicles, two new weapons and over 300 items. The content pack gives players more customization options like hairstyles and tattoos as well. Additionally, Rockstar plans to open the ability to create, publish and rate custom race and deathmatch jobs for use in GTA Online. Lastly, the developer noted that GTA Online Social Club weekend events will begin next month, granting players bonuses and "event crate drops" for participating.
GTA Online stimulus package delayed, persistent bugs to blame
Grand Theft Auto Online players will not be receiving a $250,000 infusion of virtual cash this week, despite Rockstar announcing such plans only a few days ago. That $250,000 deposit marks the first half of a payout designed to soothe the rage of players after the rocky launch of Grand Theft Auto Online earlier this month. Four days ago Rockstar claimed it would be issuing these piles of virtual cash to players this week. That never came to pass, and now Rockstar has offered another announcement regarding the stimulus package. "We know many of you are anxiously waiting for us to show you the GTA$ Stimulus Package money we announced a couple weeks back," reads the Rockstar Games website. "As mentioned in that post, we of course want to ensure that game progress loss issues are sufficiently sorted before distributing the GTA$ to everyone. We have a few more tweaks and fixes to make in a new title update that will hit sometime next week and then we will distribute the cash." Rockstar has offered no word on when we can expect the newly-delayed payout.
GTA Online players to see $250,000 payout this week
Apparently crime does pay, as Rockstar is rewarding Grand Theft Auto Online players with the first installment of a $500,000 in-game payout later this week. This sudden infusion of $250,000 serves as a mea culpa for the rocky GTA Online launch. Reports of players going missing and cars vanishing appeared frequently following the game's debut, and while Rockstar has issued patches to amend these issues, the company has also decided to reward player patience with a fat stack of virtual bills. As far as when your character might receive his or her cash, that remains unknown. Rockstar tweeted its plans this morning, but offered no more specificity than, "sometime this week." In the meantime, make sure you qualify for the handout by reading through these eligibility guidelines.
Lost your Grand Theft Auto Online character? Have some money instead!
For all the problems of online games, there's a certain assumption that your character is safe no matter what technical problems might hit the server. Sure, Grand Theft Auto Online has had some growing pains, but if your character vanishes for some reason you can still -- wait, no, apparently your character is lost forever and will never return to you. That's kind of the opposite of news you were hoping for. So in the hopes that you'll be distracted, Rockstar is throwing half a million dollars at you. Before you get too distracted, you should know that this is in-game money. Two payments of $250,000 in-game will be provided to players on two distinct dates, hopefully by the end of next week. While this won't exactly replace the time and effort lost via vanishing characters, it should at least take the edge off of Grand Theft Auto Online's unexpected problems.
GTA 5 title update for vanishing online characters, other issues
Rockstar has issued a patch for the GTA Online portion of Grand Theft Auto 5, which purportedly solves issues with spontaneous character deletion, lost progress and a handful of other issues, save for one specific circumstance. The patch should be live on PSN and will hit the Xbox 360 version "tomorrow at the latest," according to Rockstar. The patch corrects "multiple issues causing character deletion or other loss of progress," except for "some specific instances where players purchase a vehicle and the save does not occur due to a cloud save failure." A fix for that issue is underway and another update will be pushed once the problem is sorted out. In the meantime, infinite loading screens, vanishing guns and ammo, issues with Los Santos Customs and the mod garage should all be a thing of the past. Click all up on this for a full list of this update's corrected errors.
GTA Online login issues declared resolved, lost items not yet found
Criminals should no longer have issues logging on to the world of GTA Online and causing wanton mayhem, developer Rockstar announced via an update on their support page last night. "The connection issues seen earlier in the day have now been resolved. Please note that we are still looking into reports about missing characters, rank, items, apartments, and/or in-game money," the update reads. While Rockstar had previously announced their intentions to fix the issues preventing people from logging on via a patch released Friday, the problem was not officially announced as resolved until Saturday evening. Rockstar will continue to update its support page with known problems regarding GTA Online, but if you're one of the players with missing items, you can subscribe to a separate support thread.
PSA: Grand Theft Auto Online update available on PS3 now, Xbox 360 today
The patch that's expected to fix Grand Theft Auto 5's online connectivity issues for PS3 users is now available to download. Rockstar says that a PSN server issue was the culprit in PS3 users' GTA Online woes, as it "was limiting the amount of possible concurrent users," therefore "preventing most players from accessing GTA Online altogether and as of this morning, that problem was resolved." The developer noted that players are having issues completing the introductory tutorial mission on both platforms as well, and that it is "working on unblocking this for everyone as soon as possible," as well as improving GTA Online server stability. The Xbox 360 title update will arrive "as soon as possible today," and until the GTA Online connectivity issues improve for players on both platforms, Rockstar has "disabled the option of purchasable GTA$ cash packs." The microtransaction-based packs can still be earned through missions and jobs within the game.
Grand Theft Auto Online title update hits tomorrow, Rockstar hopes
Rockstar is working on a title update for Grand Theft Auto Online, expected to launch tomorrow, October 4, on Xbox 360 and PS3. "We're currently working on a title update for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 to address commonly reported issues with GTA Online. We hope to have it out for download as soon as tomorrow," Rockstar writes in an update to its GTA Online Launch Updates post. GTA Online has been buggy since its launch on October 1, in some cases preventing players from playing at all. Yesterday Rockstar said it was addressing the known problems and it launched a support page specifically for GTA Online issues.
Rockstar still tending to GTA Online connectivity issues
When Grand Theft Auto Online made its debut yesterday, the game was immediately overshadowed by myriad technical issues which prevented (and in some cases, still prevent) players from connecting to the game. Rockstar has heard the pleas of its fans and assures players that the development team is hard at work on solutions to all of the issues that have cropped up so far. In the meantime, the company offers an update on the current status of the game's PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 incarnations: For PlayStation 3 users, a PlayStation Network server issue was detected that was limiting the amount of possible concurrent users. This was preventing most players from accessing GTA Online altogether and as of this morning, that problem was resolved. There is an issue that is preventing some players from getting through the first tutorial mission across both platforms. Many players have been able to get through this with repeated retries, and we are working on unblocking this for everyone as soon as possible. This morning, we experienced some instability across the GTA Online services which is affecting even people who have progressed beyond the tutorial mission. We are identifying these issues now and are working to restore stability for users as soon as possible. For the time being and until we have been able to get everybody access to GTA Online and things are running smoothly, we have disabled the option of purchasable GTA$ cash packs. Players can however keep on earning GTA$ by pulling off Jobs and other profitable gameplay activities rather than purchasing cash packs.
Grand Theft Auto Online First Impressions Video
Though there are issues plaguing the mode's release, Grand Theft Auto 5's online component launched today on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Getting ahead of the crowds, we woke up bright and early to play in the online sandbox. You can read detailed first impressions of the online mode's opening hours in our written preview, but if you'd prefer to see the game in action - especially if you can't connect - we've whipped up a video featuring our experience. Listen in on Richard and Xav as they discuss Grand Theft Auto Online, the trolls of San Andreas and the busiest police force in video game history.
GTA 5 players report glitches, save file issues after GTA Online's launch
Rockstar Games rolled out its Grand Theft Auto Online update for Grand Theft Auto 5 earlier today, but you might want to back up your save file before diving in, as some users are reporting lost progress after installing a required patch. A Joystiq tipster writes in with word that their single-player campaign save file was erased following patch installation, ending a playthrough at around 70 percent completion. NeoGAF and Rockstar Support users confirm similar glitches, reporting missing weapons, unresponsive character switching, and an inability to progress in story mode. While many players have installed the update without issue, others report hard-lock freezes and character creation difficulties within the game's GTA Online component, and for some, the single-player mode is effectively unplayable. Rockstar has posted a list of known multiplayer issues, but has not yet commented on reported single-player glitches. "The GTAV Title Update to enable Grand Theft Auto Online access has been rolling out this morning on PSN and Xbox LIVE across territories worldwide," Rockstar explained in a comment here. "As mentioned last week, you should expect that there will be some technical teething issues in the early days of a new online experience especially one as massive as GTA Online – you can stay apprised at the Rockstar Support site here. Thank you all for your patience, understanding and support!"
Beginning my life of crime in Grand Theft Auto Online
This is the first in what we hope are many entries exploring the online component of Grand Theft Auto 5. For details on the game, read Joystiq's review. Lamar picked me up from Los Santos International Airport early this morning, as I exited the "create-a-character" menu in Grand Theft Auto 5's online mode. GTA Online went live today as a free update on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. According to Franklin's fast-talking, hustler buddy, he's been chatting it up with my online avatar on LifeInvader - the game's Facebook parody - for too long and it's about time I've made my way down to Los Santos. Here's where dreams are made, he promises, dropping names like anchors in water that are meant to impress but only stop me dead in my tracks. Names like Simeon, a notorious "bullshit artist" whose credit scams bring Michael's life crashing into Franklin's. First order of business, though, is protection. Lamar has me covered, handing over an untraceable handgun as a welcoming gift. "There's all kinds of opportunities in Los Santos," Lamar says. "I mean, that's if you got the nuts to pull 'em off." This is the promise of Grand Theft Auto Online.
PSA: GTA Online live today
You can live the American dream with friends in Grand Theft Auto Online starting today, accessible after downloading a title update for Grand Theft Auto 5. The game's online component lets up to 16 players enter Los Santos together, where they can take up jobs and missions, compete in races, customize characters, create content like races and deathmatches, and generally roam and tear asunder as they please. In a news-wire update this week, the studio assured fans the confirmed presence of microtransactions "should not disrupt the playing field," since players will still need Reputation Points earned by play to be able to buy high-end gear; players can, however, trade real-world money for in-game GTA$. Rockstar released new details on GTA Online this morning, including that it takes place a few months prior to the events of GTA 5. Also, house party invites are only for "friendly" visits, meaning other players can't tear up your pad - that's just good manners, really.
Rockstar confirms GTA Online micro-transactions, outlines launch plans
Rockstar Games has confirmed yesterday's rumor that micro-transactions will be present in Grand Theft Auto Online. Impatient magnates can trade real-world cash for in-game riches in GTA Online when it launches on October 1, though Rockstar clarifies that "you don't have to spend real money to attain the cars, guns, clothes, flash and style of a high-roller in Los Santos, but can if you wish to get them a little quicker." A series of free content updates will unlock specific functionality in GTA Online following launch, Rockstar details in a new diatribe over on the Rockstar Newswire site. A new Rally race type will be introduced where a driver and co-pilot must work together to make it through "treacherous courses at high speeds." Rockstar's take on Capture the Flag is also coming, as well as a new Beach Bum add-on pack comprised of four beach vehicles, over 300 new items and a pair of new weapons. There are also plans to present a content creator for players to publish their own races and deathmatches, plus the promised Heists that are the anchor of Grand Theft Auto 5's co-op multiplayer experience. All of this content will be available through free updates, which Rockstar hopes to issue at a steady clip following the launch of multiplayer on October 1. But considering how many people have the game, we don't expect it to be the smoothest sailing for online multiplayer in GTA 5 - at first, anyway.
Rumor: GTA Online has real cash microtransactions
A file has been discovered within the code of Grand Theft Auto V which seems to hint at the presence of microtransactions within Grand Theft Auto Online. Redditor "1800" noticed that when players attempt to open the "Xbox Store" option in Grand Theft Auto V, no results are produced, but the game searches for a specific XML file. This file contains references to cash cards worth up to $1.25 million in the game's currency, as well as the following text: "Cash is king in this town. Solve your money problems and help get what you want across Los Santos and Blaine County with the purchase of cash packs for Grand Theft Auto Online. All purchased cash is automatically deposited into your character's bank account. Spend wisely, cash therapy is fleeting." Rockstar has not publicly mentioned microtransactions in its plans for Grand Theft Auto Online, though it has also not mentioned how it plans to fund what has so far been described as 16-player open-world chaos. We've reached out to Rockstar for more, but answers to this question may have to wait until Grand Theft Auto Online debuts on October 1.
GTA Online riches available for cash
Players looking forward to Grand Theft Auto Online, available on October 1st, are probably already contemplating ways to get and spend their in-game funds for the myriad of customization goodies within the persistent world of Rockstar Game's GTA5's multiplayer mode. Well there's a new addition to the acquire list: microtransactions. Eurogamer.net shares a find that was first caught on Reddit, namely a publicly viewable XML file on the game's online store that shows in-game cash cards in denominations of $100K, $200K, $500K, and $1.5M $1.25M for purchase with real-life cash along with a description inviting players to solve their in-game money problems by buying these packs. The prices for these cash cards, however, are not stated. The same file shows items from the special and collector's editions, indicating that this exclusive content may also be made available to all for purchase later. [Thanks Potaco for the correction.]
Grand Theft Auto 5 makes off with over $800 million on day one
Worldwide sales of the latest entry in Rockstar's open-world crime series, Grand Theft Auto 5, have surpassed $800 million in just 24 hours at retail. This figure represents a new day-one high for both the series and parent company Take Two Interactive. Currently, Grand Theft Auto 5 only has a single-player component on Xbox 360 and PS3. Rockstar announced the multiplayer supplement, Grand Theft Auto Online, will launch on October 1.
