Wow. Just wow. Before I even get into this, if you haven't seen the reveal trailer, that's where you need to start. Don't worry, I'll wait.
As exciting as that is, it's easy to not fully understand what +Rockstar Games is doing here, so I'll break it down. First off, it's important to understand that while Grand Theft Auto Online access comes free with Grand Theft Auto V, it's actually an entirely separate entity that will change and evolve all on its own. Yes, it uses the same map and assets from GTAV (for now, anyway), but it's really its own thing - if you're thinking of it as just the online mode for GTAV, you're not seeing the big picture. You'll be able to create your own character that you'll access via the same character switcher that we've seen in the previous GTAV gameplay video (remember that fourth empty spot? This is what it's for), and once you're in that online world you can use your in-game cell phone to call up your friends and have them join you, even if they're currently playing just the single player. You can do minor robberies on your own to earn cash and reputation, but to get the big bucks you'll have to form a crew and plan a heist. There's also different ways to spend downtime, doing things like races, base jumping, tennis, golf, and more.
Some other points that need to be mentioned:
- You can set bounties on other players if there's someone you really want dead.
- You'll need to deposit your money in banks because if you don't, you can be mugged and robbed.
- NPCs react to your voice when you speak into your headset (your character's mouth will even move). Example: if you're doing a robbery and you're shouting at someone to hurry up and give you the money, they'll move a lot faster.
- You can also invest your money in the online stock market and even bet on the outcome of online matches.
- While some missions are always there, others will be totally dynamic.
- You can customize cars and they are yours, but they can be destroyed or stolen...but if you've insured it, the car can be replaced for a fee.
- When I say that the world is dynamic and consistent, I mean it. If some of your friends (16 people exist in a game world at any given time) are in an epic police chase, you can turn on the TV in your apartment and watch what's happening in real time.
This is the most ambitious thing that Rockstar has ever done, and I really can't wait to get my hands on it when GTA Online becomes available on October 1st 2013.
