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Rockstar exploring lost GTA Online data, restoration options
A number of players are experiencing a sudden loss of characters, apartments, in-game money, rank and more when playing GTA Online. Rockstar is currently identifying the issue and looking to recover players' lost data, if possible. One culprit has to do with Rockstar Cloud Services: Rockstar does not suggest playing GTA Online when Cloud Services are inaccessible. When the Cloud is down, players have the opportunity to continue playing with a temporary character, albeit without the ability to save. In this scenario players cannot access their saved characters, and any progress made with the temporary character will not be retained. Rockstar says another problem has to do with the "Retry" button. When prompted to retry to enter a GTA Online match when the Cloud is down, some players have had all of their data wiped. Rockstar says reverting back to Grand Theft Auto 5's single-player campaign, then jumping back into GTA Online from there, should yield better results. Rockstar says it's "in the process of determining the options for addressing the issues" and will continue to post updates.
Grand Theft Auto 5 already overtaken GTA 4 lifetime sales in UK
In just three weeks of UK sales, Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold more copies than Grand Theft Auto 4 has in nearly five years of lifetime sales. The staggering statistics come courtesy of UK figure-gatherers Chart Track, who report GTA 5 is already the country's 12th biggest-selling game of all time. To reiterate, this stat applies to UK sales. Still, with global sales surpassing $1 billion in the first three days, UK sales at 2.25 million copies in the first week, and now this, Rockstar is probably feeling okay about keeping the game on current-gen platforms (for now).
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.
Carjackings overthrow duty as GTA5 takes top spot on Xbox Live
Grand Theft Auto 5 has beaten Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for the title of most-played game on Xbox 360, according to a recent blog post by Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson. Note that this doesn't necessarily mean more people are playing GTA Online, the multiplayer component of GTA 5, as Major Nelson's data tracks how many unique users are signed onto Xbox Live while playing a game, regardless of whether or not they're using online features. Not everyone has moved onto the newest of the new though, as the top ten list also includes GTA 4, as well as Modern Warfare 3 and the original Black Ops. Meanwhile, Minecraft is still holding onto third, surrounded by guns, criminals and sports.
Report: UK retail sales climb for first time in four years
The UK games market moved 5.17 million boxed games in the last month, a sum that has broke the region's 59-month streak of gradually declining sales, CVG reports. The total is a 45 percent year-on-year increase and the first growth for games retail in the UK since December 2008. MCV reports that Grand Theft Auto 5 accounted for 52 percent of those sales alone, helping the UK market generate £187.2 million in the month of September. The game moved 2.25 million units in the region during its first week and shared a release month with FIFA 14. It will be interesting to see how the incoming consoles affect retail sales, but for now, carjackings and football for everyone!
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.
Rockstar: GTA Online title update coming 'as soon as tomorrow' (Update: released for PS3 and Xbox 360)
Rockstar's "around the clock" work addressing the issues surrounding GTA Online could pay off soon. The developer promised that a title update is in the works and may be available "as soon as tomorrow," in an update to yesterday's trouble-shooting post. So if you can hold out just a bit longer, joining up with your buddies for a little group mayhem instead of a staring contest with a loading symbol could be a single sleep away. Or, you know, you could just work on your 100 percent completion of Grand Theft Auto 5 where no connection is needed. It's up to you! Update: Rockstar has updated its news post to say that it's just posted an update that should salve the issues of frustrated PS3 owners. Xbox devotees will need to sit tight, but the company has said that a fix will be coming "later today." Update 2: Rockstar has tweeted that the update is out for Xbox 360 as well.
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 responds to GTA Online issues, is working 'around the clock' to fix things (update)
Unfortunately, as many predicted, the rollout of Grand Theft Auto Online on Tuesday did not go smoothly for many gamers. On launch day many were unable to connect, or connected but couldn't complete the tutorial, or got into the game and ended up losing created characters. Rockstar Games has posted a list of issues players have reported and says the team is working "around the clock" (presumably the members of the team that aren't busy counting that billion dollar haul) on fixes. A problem limited the number of concurrent PSN users has been squashed, and they're working on unblocking users that can't get through the tutorial. For the time being, the team has also disabled the ability to buy ingame cash with real money. If you're one of the players affected, keep an eye on the support page for all the latest updates, or contact Rockstar Support via Twitter or on its website, while general suggestions for the online experience should go to GTAOnline@rockstargames.com. We've had more success logging on in the last few hours, let us know if your online crews are connecting with any success. If they're not, check out Joystiq's early impressions of the multiplayer for a taste of what GTA Online has to offer, when it's working. Update: Patches are out for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.
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.
Grand Theft Auto 5 shows up at this weekend's New York Film Festival
Rockstar is crashing the New York Film Festival and its Convergence series, which runs September 28 - 30, with two panels and a concert featuring Grand Theft Auto 5 developers and composers. The first panel, on Sunday, September 29 at 3:30PM, is a master class in storytelling from the GTA5 creative team, called "Visit Los Santos and Blaine County: The World of Grand Theft Auto V." A concert on Monday, September 30 stars game musicians Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, and The Alchemist and Oh No, starting at 9PM at the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle. The third event is part of NYFF Live, an event that's free to the public, and it features all of the game's composers. This panel takes place on October 1 at 8PM. Tickets for the concert and Sunday's panel go live on the NYFF site tomorrow, September 27 at 10AM.
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.
Rockstar patches GTA 5's rotten iFruit companion app
Rockstar Games has issued a patch for its iFruit app, which it hopes will improve the program's ability to connect to its online servers. Since the debut of Grand Theft Auto V, the iFruit app has had major issues. Ideally, the program would allow players to train their in-game dog and customize their signature vehicle, but the massive success of GTA 5 quickly overwhelmed Rockstar's servers, and the iFruit app couldn't handle the stress of so many people attempting to connect simultaneously. Rockstar has remained relatively quiet on the issue, until today, when it announced the patch via Twitter. Rockstar has yet to offer concrete details on what it has changed in version 2.0 of the iFruit app. The patch notes merely mention improved connectivity, then thank fans for their patience and support. As with all iOS patches, you can update your iFruit app by visiting the App Store's "Update" section (or, if you've already enabled automatic updates in iOS 7, by doing nothing at all).
Three-volume GTA V soundtrack breaks into iTunes
The phenomenally diverse soundtrack from Grand Theft Auto V has made the jump to iTunes, for all of your real-world heist planning needs. The three-volume set currently available on Apple's digital music service is an abridged version of the GTA V soundtrack which includes a total of 59 tracks. The first and third volumes consist of selections from the game's radio stations, while the second features the game's score composed by Tangerine Dream. Each of the songs can be purchased individually for 99 cents, but the best bargain to be had is for those who purchase the entire collection at once. All three volumes will set you back $25 - less than half the price of purchasing all this music piecemeal.
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.
Grand Theft Auto 5's disappearing car bug is in the shop
Rockstar is investigating a bug that causes cars in Grand Theft Auto 5 to disappear after being parked in a garage. The glitch can erase a car "if you drive another character's personal vehicle," and for now Rockstar suggests players avoid parking in a garage, driving a car found in a garage or driving a default vehicle, at least not "when playing as a character other than the one with your upgrades." There's no fix for the bug now, but to receive automatic email notification when a patch comes through log into Rockstar's Support Site and subscribe to this page. Grand Theft Auto 5 roped in more than $1 billion during its first three days at retail. Surely it'll post a fix for this car bug once it's done counting all of its cash.
Grand Theft Auto 5 'Mythbusters' blow the police away
Can I stab a shark in Grand Theft Auto 5? How do I survive a free-fall with no parachute? Can I hide from the cops in some bushes? What's the most hilarious way to take out a police chopper? Look no further for the answers to these and more in this "Mythbusters" episode.
