Grand Theft Auto Online, the multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto V, will be available today starting from 12:00 BST/07:00 EDT/04:00 PDT.
Around this time, Rockstar says it will release a “small” downloadable title update on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, which will unlock access to Grand Theft Auto Online from the game’s menu.
Rockstar adds that the title update depends on the content becoming available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 network, and may be delayed slightly.
When downloaded, GTA Online can be accessed by using the bottom slot from the game’s character wheel, where players have previously been able to flick between the single-player campaign’s protagonists Franklin, Michael, and Trevor.
Rockstar further detailed the mode in a post on its site, explaining that GTA Online is set a few months before the game’s single-player campaign and will contain an invitation-based anti-griefing system so players can show off their homes and vehicles without fear of having them stolen or destroyed.
The company also reiterated that the game’s microtransactions will not negatively affect the experience. “To allay some concerns we’ve heard on this subject, we can assure you that the game is designed such that the option of purchasable GTA$ should not disrupt the playing field–and there are a few mechanics in place to help ensure that.”
“All players still have to rank up with Reputation Points (RP) in order to get access to purchase high-end items. No one can begin GTA Online and simply spend a lot of money out of the gate to get a leg up. You will have to earn your stripes and play to unlock access to the aspirational clothes, guns and other items. Please also remember that in GTA Online, hustling to afford the finer things by earning GTA$ doing robberies, stick-ups, winning races and other profitable activities is a fun gameplay experience rather than ever being a ‘grind’.”
The company also adds that it “will constantly tweak all areas of the game to make it play fairer and iron out any balancing problems (while fixing all the other problems we encounter!), but we really need your help in figuring out what those issues are. So please work with us on that!”
