So our morning has been made thanks to Rockstar. If you haven't seen the online multiplayer reveal for Grand Theft Auto V, stop reading this and press play above.
Great. Let's get into this. Rockstar has stated that the online component will go live two weeks after the September 17 release date. Which is an incredibly savvy way for Rockstar to cut down on trade-ins from people looking to marathon their way to the end of Grand Theft Auto V. The sheer amount of additional content that Rockstar has invested in the online experience will extend the entire GTA V life cycle for, well, years. Let's take a look at what we learned this morning.
Here is: "Grand Theft Auto" Online: What We Learned From This Morning's Reveal.
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Build your reputation and earn that cash.
Earning money to buy all your expensive toys is going to, hopefully, be one of the main thrusts of the online experience. Rockstar also made mention of earning 'reputation' online. We're assuming that this will function as a sort of leveling system for your character. The higher your rep, the more difficult heists open up for you to tackle.
Gather a crew, pull some heists.
With a persitent, progressive online experience players will be able to link up with friends and other players to complete objectives. Executing team heists with the help of your crew, or possibly even pick up crews, will further the cooperative aspects of GTA V Online.
Unstructured Activities
Rockstar mentioned that the addition of both structured and unstructured activities that will be available throughout the online experience. We've seen footage of golfing and yoga during the single player campaign, but this footage of arm wrestling is another distraction to be found in Los Santos. Hopefully dislocating another player's shoulder socket earns you both money and reputation.
Customizable characters, female protagonists.
While being able to tweak your character to reflect your own personal tastes is nothing new to a Rockstar outing, the addition of a female playable character is a long overdue first. Throughout the entire reveal we were shown glimpses of female characters opening fire on opposing players and exploring Los Santos. Tattoos, hairstyles, weaponry, clothing, vehicles, and nearly everything else is open to customization in the online experience. Rockstar's addition of a female protagonist is a very savvy move.
Get a garage, fill it with heat.
Keeping a garage stocked with customized whips is a requirement for any GTA title. The online component will also see players racing their vechicles (we saw jet skis, dirt bikes, and planes all being used for competition) for cash and reputation. Customization goes even further than any previous entry in the franchise in GTA V.
Go apartment hunting, like a boss.
Spend that hard-earned heist loot on a dope pad to distract yourself from the $1000 a month studio you really live in. Players will be able to purchase apartments in the online experience. One would assume that these dwellings will function as a combination headquarters/meeting spot for you and your online crew. Friends can meet at your place, lay low, and plan your next hit all in the comfort of your full furnished Los Santos luxury condominium.
Additional NPCs for you to interact with.
Since the online experience is going to be a persistent, progressive world there will be no shortage of non-playble characters (NPCs) to interact with. Think about all of the characters you interacted with during the The Ballad of Gay Tony and The Lost and Damned DLC for GTA IV, we can only hope that the characters Rockstar has populated the online experience with are as well designed.
Team Deatmatch
Building on the nearly infinite possibilities of a multiplayer map editor, comes the inclusion of team deathmatch type game modes. Crew versus crew for reputation and cash? It's like Rockstar is daring me to break up with my family.
Multiplayer Map Editor
Grand Theft Auto Online will feature a map editor for users to create their own multiplayer deathmatches. Rockstar stated that they will be adding content as well as user generated content being available to all online players. The best player made maps will, obviously, rise to the top.
So, basically, save up your sick days.
Consider the following: crew building, team heists, the earning of reputation, Rockstar adding their own content, an entire secondary cast of NPCs, customization of nearly everything, reputation earning, team deathmatch, and a FUCKING map editor; Rockstar has prolonged the shelf life of a game that hasn't even been released yet by many, many months.
Like we said, save up your sick days.
