Grand Theft Auto Online

Grand Theft Auto Online is Rockstar Games’ multiplayer component for Grand Theft Auto V, set primarily in the fictional state of San Andreas. It launched on 1 October 2013, shortly after Grand Theft Auto V’s console debut, and originally takes place before the single-player story. Players create a customizable silent protagonist who arrives in Los Santos and is introduced to the criminal underworld by Lamar Davis. Early contact missions connect the character with figures from Grand Theft Auto V, including Gerald, Simeon Yetarian, Lester Crest, Ron Jakowski, Trevor Philips, and Martin Madrazo. Its open world uses the same Southern California-inspired map as Grand Theft Auto V: Los Santos, Blaine County, the Alamo Sea, Mount Chiliad, and surrounding desert and coastal areas. Online sessions support cooperative and competitive activities, from races and deathmatches to missions, businesses, freemode events, and elaborate robberies. Money and reputation points earned through activities unlock equipment, property, vehicles, and further opportunities. Rockstar has expanded the mode for years through free title updates rather than a separate numbered sequel. The Heists Update, released in 2015, added multi-stage robberies planned from high-end apartments. Lester guides the original five heists: The Fleeca Job, The Prison Break, The Humane Labs Raid, Series A Funding, and The Pacific Standard Job. Later updates broadened that format. The Doomsday Heist involves Avon Hertz and the artificial intelligence Clifford; The Diamond Casino Heist lets crews target the Diamond Casino and Resort; and The Cayo Perico Heist centers on infiltrating drug lord Juan “El Rubio” Strickler’s private island, with help from submarine owner Pavel. Grand Theft Auto Online also revisits and extends established characters. The Contract, released in December 2021, brings Franklin Clinton back after events of Grand Theft Auto V. Franklin runs F. Clinton and Partner with Lamar, while the player helps recover unreleased music belonging to Dr. Dre after his phone is stolen. Dr. Dre appears as himself, and the update includes the mission chain involving his tracks. In 2022’s The Criminal Enterprises, the game addressed several business activities, while Los Santos Drug Wars introduced the Fooliganz and Dax. It was first released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, then reached PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014, Windows in 2015, and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022. Rockstar continues to add stories and businesses, including 2023’s San Andreas Mercenaries, which features Charlie Reed and the Los Santos Angels, and 2024’s Bottom Dollar Bounties, where Maude Eccles directs bounty work for the player.