'Grand Theft Auto Online' microtransactions

After Grand Theft Auto 5 became one of the most highly rated games in recent memory, thanks to an engaging and diverse single player campaign along with refinements to the core franchise formula, buzz quickly turned to frustration with the launch of the title's multiplayer component, Grand Theft Auto Online. Server errors made it near-impossible for even the most dedicated players to get past the online tutorial and into the free-roam sandbox of Los Santos. Over the coming week, many gamers who managed to get into the mode to start leveling up their customized character, bank cash, as well as purchase home spaces, expensive vehicles, and upgraded weaponry, found that their entire profile had disappeared - and that they would be forced back to square one (and another turn through that notorious tutorial).

Additionally, a variety of glitches have made it possible for gamers to cheat the GTA Online economy (which is still set to introduce micro-transactions) - creating experience-breaking disparities between players who get modest money through completing multiplayer missions and those who've made millions by simply reselling the same car ad nauseam (among other tricks). However, in an attempt to make up for all the post-launch problems, Rockstar Games recently announced a $500,000 stimulus reward - with the first installment arriving in player bank accounts this week.

The developer hasn't provided a specific date for the money, but according to a tweet from the GTA V Social Club, gamers who meet the eligibility requirements will be $250,000 richer before next week.

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A prior tweet from the same Twitter account, days earlier, indicated that the studio was aiming to deliver the money "early" in the week - pending necessary quality assurance on the latest title update (specifically, ensuring that profile problems have been addressed).

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That said, we'll have to wait for further details to find out whether or not the latest report from Rockstar Games means the timing of the stimulus package (part 1) has moved from "early" this week to "sometime" this week. Following the dispersal of the first $250,000, the studio is then expected to release the second half by the end of the month - though, unsurprisingly, they've yet to set an official date.

The stimulus is intended as a mea culpa to players who might have lost progress or faced connection problems in the early days of GTA Online - while at the same time offering early players an opportunity to get more real estate, premium cars, and artillery under their belts (which they'll need in order to compete with glitchers who are flush with cash and resources).

Grand Theft Auto Online Title Update

That said, not everyone will be seeing "stimulus" money in their bank accounts, make sure to check out the full eligibility details posted a couple days back (we've included the highlights below):

  • You must play or have played Grand Theft Auto Online at any time during the month of October 2013 in order to qualify for the GTA$500,000 deposit in your in-game bank account.
  • Players will first have to install a forthcoming GTAV title update which we expect to happen next week. That title update (1.04) is expected to fix the remaining instances of issues that have caused vehicle purchase loss and will also enable the functionality through which we’ll be providing this GTA$ stimulus cash to players.
  • We will announce at the Rockstar Newswire when each deposit is made.
  • Each of the two GTA$250,000 deposits will be made by Rockstar and should automatically appear in the in-game GTA Online bank accounts of eligible players. Beyond downloading the forthcoming title update mentioned above, there should not be any additional special action required by eligible players to redeem.

We'll update you when we hear an official release date for the stimulus deposits. In the meantime, check out which real estate properties you'll be able to buy with your new-found riches or, in typical GTA fashion, watch Trevor explode cars.

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

Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick.

Source: GTA V Social Club