As Rockstar Games continues to ensure stability in Grand Theft Auto 5's multiplayer component, GTA Online, gamers remain divided on whether or not they'll be returning to online Los Santos any time in the near future. Despite successfully stabilizing most network connectivity issues and closing down a number of loopholes that allowed glitching gamers to quickly accrue massive in-game fortunes, the developer is still struggling to purge GTA Online of exploits and other issues that have impeded player experiences. Rockstar Games even delayed the first installment of a promised $500,000 stimulus package - designed to encourage frustrated gamers who might have lost characters and ranking progressions back into the now (mostly stable) online mode.

Now the developer has detailed (and put vague release dates) on two future opportunities for GTA gamers to revisit Los Santos - the highly-antcipated Online "content creator" as well as new customization options, weapons, and vehicles courtesy of the "Beach Bum" pack.

According to Rockstar Games, the "Beach Bum" pack will be available in November and add beach-themed items into both the single player as well as online modes. Check out the official description from the developer for the "Beach Bum" pack below:

Coming in early November will be the first add-on content update, the Beach Bum Pack which will bring all-new beach themed vehicles and new weaponry that you’ll be able to use in both GTA Online and Story Mode. Plus new customization options for your GTA Online character including new tats, hairstyles and more. We’ll also be adding lots of brand new action-packed Jobs to play with Gang Attacks, Survivals, Last Team Standings, Parachutes, Deathmatches and Races that will have you bloodying up the waters and coastlines of the finest beach resorts across Los Santos and Blaine County.

New in-game items, customization options, and jobs are appreciated, giving definite reason for gamers who might have put GTA 5 aside to jump back in - especially since the pack will be entirely free with a title update. However, the aspect of this announcement that stands the best chance of reigniting interest in skeptical gamers is a release window for the online "content creator" - which was teased in the original Grand Theft Auto Online reveal trailer but absent from the initial launch.

Here's what Rockstar Games had to say about what to expect from the content creator - which is set to release sometime this fall (also free of charge):

We are also working to bring you the debut of the first part of the GTA Online Content Creator this fall — giving players the ability to craft, publish, rate and play custom-made Deathmatch and Race Jobs. We’ll be keeping our eye open for exceptional ones that we’ll be stamping as ‘Rockstar Verified’ and will be featuring them here at the Newswire and as part of forthcoming GTA Online Social Club Events. Both the Content Creator and the Beach Bum Pack are free.

Between games like LittleBigPlanet and inFamous, among countless others, we've seen successful (and immensely creative) communities form around fan-favorite titles - helping to sustain interest for a particular game months (and even years) after initial release. Currently, one of the biggest complaints facing GTA Online is a lack of fresh jobs and, as a result, it makes sense that the studio would be anxious to get their content creator into the hands of interested players who can help flesh out the mode with unique races and deathmatch battles. Assuming the creation tools are simple and enjoyable enough to use, it's hard to imagine that gamers looking to embrace the online mode will be short on things to do after too long.

Still, with a host of high profile triple-a titles on the horizon for Holiday 2013 (including Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, among others) and a two-pronged next-generation console launch, Grand Theft Auto 5 will face stiff competition for player's time (and funds). Rockstar already broke numerous sales records with the initial GTA 5 release, and further potential revenue is in the pipeline via DLC add-ons and possible PC as well as next-generation versions.

However, it's unclear at this point how much more money the company could have made, especially through mictrotransaction purchases, had the online component been slightly more stable out the gate.

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Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online are out now for the Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms.

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Source: Rockstar Games