Grand Theft Auto Online isn’t just a series of maps dedicated to deathmatch. If you’ve played any game in this popular series, you’d know that the mechanics don’t exactly lend themselves to truly competitive, fast-paced multiplayer modes. What Rockstar is trying to accomplish is a living, breathing world filled with both friends and strangers that actually feels like the core campaign of GTA 5. Is that a difficult task to pull off? It must be, as we won’t even see the feature until two weeks after the actual game hits retailers. But here’s why it’ll be worth the wait, and how this new online experience will be one of the biggest things to launch this fall.
· Redesigned mechanics: As previously stated, the way GTA feels when being played solo isn’t the best for an online game. Rockstar seems to understand that fact, as new, sharper mechanics are being implemented to fit into the online world. Although these haven’t been detailed, expect things to be a bit faster and more action focused.
· Structured and unstructured events: Bike races, golfing, and parachuting? Those are the types of side activities that we like. But Grand Theft Auto Online will also let players make their own unique activities, allowing the community members to discover new ways to have fun within a city brimming with choices.
· A crew for me and you: If you want to rob a liquor store or pull of a beautiful heist, that can be done with a crew by your side. However, you can also just indulge in classic multiplayer game modes with your friends by your side, allowing for strong communication and teamwork that you wouldn’t see otherwise.
· Become a character, don’t just create one: Sure, you’ll be able to customize your own criminal to your liking, but the real creation comes from the reputation you build from each mission completed. Instead of just using your imagination, this online world lets you become exactly who you want your character to be through the many activities available and the cash you collect. Hopefully, no one will look quite the same in your open world.
· User-generated content: It might not be the next LittleBigPlanet, but Rockstar will allow its community to design its own races and missions. If you don’t like the activities that the developers have placed in front of you, the option to use your creativity to share something entirely new with the world is there.
What feature stands out to you? Let us know what you think, and be prepared for this new, online mode a couple of weeks after launch.