The upcoming Grand Theft Auto Online may let you buy in-game money with real money at some point — files found on a Rockstar server hint at the possibility, and it’s an interesting one.
A Redditor says he found the files, which you can read here, by trying to access the store section of the game’s pause menu. The files are hosted on Rockstar’s website, and they seem to reveal what looks like microtransactions for the upcoming free online game attached to Grand Theft Auto V.
A relevant excerpt:
Red Shark Cash Card – $US100,000
Cash is king in this town. Solve your money problems and help get what you want across Los Santos and Blaine County with the purchase of cash packs for Grand Theft Auto Online. All purchased cash is automatically deposited into your character’s bank account. Spend wisely, cash therapy is fleeting.
Via NeoGAF, here’s what that card could look like, thanks to a file also taken from Rockstar’s servers:
It’s of course worth noting that none of this is official, and that these items may never make it to the final product. We’ve reached out to Rockstar for comment and will update should they respond.
Comments
12 responses to “Data Leak Hints At Microtransactions In GTA Online”
Based on in game ads, I could buy a great white card, and everyone in the restaurant would know that I’m a high roller
If I understand correct the online part of the game might include heists on other players accounts, Does this mean this would be real crime if the person had paid actual money for the credits that will be stolen?
I’d assume there’d be something in the terms of service that means it isn’t.
Maybe you can’t heist cash card balances (i.e. treated as ‘different’ money)
As far as I am aware, this is correct. Money can be stolen off you if it is on your person, but once you’ve deposited it, it can’t be touched.
So, after a heist, run for the ATM!
I can see people camping out at ATMs in the future, just like my last visit to real life NY…
That could add an interesting, EVE Online-type metagame there. But it obviously won’t happen.
No, Rockstar will add HATS, and gamers everywhere will rejoice!
I find the lack of hats deeply disappointing.
It says it’s deposited directly into the characters account, so no it can’t be stolen from my understanding
If this is true, I’m not surprised, just disappointed…
If the scale and scope of GTA Online is even close to the hype, then i can’t blame them for trying to get some extra revenue from the free service. If they want to add an option to buy in-game dollars so people can get garages and apartments faster then they can go for it, as long as it doesn’t break the game.
Me, I’ll be getting all my income from rolling banks and jewellery stores thank you.
Exactly.
Some gamers are a stupid bunch.
They fail to realize over and over again, that it’s all optional.
Of course there are going to be people who are gonna use their credit cards to get as much money as possible. Every single game has them – but it’s their choice.
And people complain about wanting more GTA
but then complain when they have to support it to keep it going.
Sure it will be nice to buy the more expensive properties and transports, but it would have to be a completely separate currency as it would completely break BAWSAQ if it wasn’t
A data link hints what you can plainly see in Ammunation? The empty wall of weapons that says to vist the store to purchase is a pretty obvious clue micro transactions were on the way
Or DLC which I guess is just micro transactions.