PlayStation Plus subscribers have been waiting quite some time now for the promised release of Grand Theft Auto Online on the service. Grand Theft Auto Online, which is traditionally bundled with Grand Theft Auto 5 as a premium purchase, was first confirmed way back in June 2020. The PS5 release of Grand Theft Auto Online has since been delayed multiple times, but is finally nearing its final release date. With that in mind, Rockstar is now sharing some specific information about Grand Theft Auto Online's availability for PlayStation Plus subscribers.In a perfect world, Grand Theft Auto Online would be permanently available to all PlayStation Plus subscribers following its launch on PS5. That would certainly be cost-prohibitive for PlayStation, though. Instead, PlayStation will be making Grand Theft Auto Online available to acquire for a generous three full months. That means PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download Grand Theft Auto Online for three months following its release, unlocking it permanently so long as the PS5 user maintains their PlayStation Plus subscription.Three months is obviously more than enough time for PlayStation Plus subscribers to ensure that they've claimed a copy of Grand Theft Auto Online before the redemption period expires. It's also more than enough time for PS5 owners who are not currently subscribed to PlayStation Plus to decide whether to do so. Access to Grand Theft Auto Online without having to pay full price for the PS5 version of Grand Theft Auto 5 is persuasive.
To be clear, the standalone version of Grand Theft Auto Online will also be available separately on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. A price point for the standalone version of Grand Theft Auto 5's multiplayer mode hasn't been announced, but free with PlayStation Plus is obviously better than any potential price point.
Grand Theft Auto Online on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will have substantial improvements compared to the PS4 and Xbox One version of the multiplayer game. Rockstar has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto Online on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will support up to 4K resolution, a 60fps frame rate, expanded texture and draw distances, support for certain types of HDR and ray-tracing, as well as improved loading times and other console-specific features.
Those currently playing Grand Theft Auto Online on the current generation of consoles will also be able to transfer their progress from PS4 to PS5 or from Xbox One to Xbox Series X/S. Rockstar wants everyone on these next-gen consoles, as they're able. The only serious limitation will be acquiring a PS5 to capitalize on this PS Plus deal before time runs out.
Grand Theft Auto Online arrives March 15 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.