The current state of GTA Online

[ADropInTheOcean]

Uhh no, they're about to have an exodus that makes the flow of immigrants who fled on Castro's taking power look like a true joke.

That's the worst part about it though, I doubt the vast majority of disappointed players will actually leave GTA Online, despite being the ethical thing to do by this point. The problem is, there's genuinely no alternative in the same genre as this game. If you get annoyed at the lack of innovation in Call of Duty, for example, you can find a multitude of different modern war first person shooters, if you get tired of the depressing monotony of League of Legends there is an even more absurd amount of fantasy MMORPGs at your disposal, if you are somehow displeased with Forza or Gran Turismo there are plenty of different racing games out there, etc.

 

However, if you get tired of playing GTA Online and want another open world crime sandbox game... Well, you're kinda f*cked. Rockstar is the only distributor providing this sort of experience, and they know people who like Grand Theft Auto aren't going to be leaving it anytime soon because there literally isn't any other multiplayer game like Grand Theft Auto at the moment. Once again, while I'm not happy at all with the current state of the game, GTA Online by itself is a brilliant idea, combining monetary and light RPG-like progression with the variety of crime sandbox is the format for the ideal multiplayer experience, and it really was all that great for a year or two. But the current state of the game is not good at all, and there's really no other alternative for anyone who wants something on the same genre.

 

I have no intention of getting into a semantics battle with you about what qualifies as a "massive" DLC, whatever the hell that is. Rock Star provides more DLC than any other game in the history of gaming, at least as far as I am aware (if I am wrong, someone tell me who offers more). It matters little to me if it comes out all at once or little at time, it's total content that I'm looking at.

 

The rest of what you describe is a changing in the video game market place. We are seeing an industry wide shift to online gaming, much to the chagrin of some on here. So, it makes sense that you haven't heard much focus on SP and that a business model centered around SP may be a thing of the past. I really think as it relates to a new game, given how Rock Star always pushes the envelope on the size of their games, that people seriously don't appreciate all that goes into such an undertaking as they just impatiently demand more product. Are you aware that Take Two is appearing at E3 next month and is supposed to make an announcement about a new game (presumed to be be Red Dead 2)? If not, might want to at least wait until then and see what happens. I know it is hard, but try to be more patient. Things in this life often aren't going to happen on your time table. That's just a fact my man.

 

And I am no fan boy. I have lots of complaints about this game and have recently found myself playing it less and less. I too want more of GTA V. But I guess I just have a more balanced perspective on these things than many on these boards.

Dude, perhaps you should be the one clearing up the semantics of the term as it was you using it for the first time in this thread, on that same post I was quoting you on. By a "massive DLC" I assumed you were talking about something like the Heists one, with at least dozens of new vehicles, new weapons and clothing, long missions with cutscenes, new interiors, new score tracks and, in general, a lot more effort than your run of the mill "Executives and High Business Expensive Vehicles DLC".

 

As for a third Red Dead, it's mere speculation by this point. Not a surprise to see 2K going to E3, but it's been more than half a decade since Rockstar actually announced any new game at a press conference. Plus, assume they do announce a new game (either a new Red Dead game or a new installment in any other of their series or even a brand new IP if they have any creativity left), what are the odds we're going to see it released in less than a year? You know how long they take to develop things, I'm pretty sure they will keep on milking the GTAO cow until whatever new game they have is released, and I really doubt said game won't have a major focus in multiplayer.

 

And yes, I'm obviously aware that the mainstream industry has been turning their attention to online video games lately. And that doesn't necessarily mean I have to be happy with it either, as you also don't seem to be.

Edited May 6, 2016 by henriquedematos

[Operation Paperclip]

@paperclip Are you suggesting Rockstar/TakeTwo "faked" the number of 8 million players?

 

In that case... a big LMAO.

 

They HAVE legal obligation to state CORRECT numbers, especially in front of their investors.

It is allways in dubio pro reo, so if you come along with such staements you might as well back them up with substantial evidence.

 

Last November Rockstar Games reported 8 Million active players playing on all of their system, there is nothing to doubt about that number, it is very likely actualy.

 

Also last December was GTA Onlines most succesfull month in terms of Shark Card sale generated revenue, which is also probably resulting because of the immense (paying) player count.

 

Also your numbers are flawed, what you have to look at if you look at active players, is the number of players that logs on in the course of 2 weeks.

For GTA V on PC that is at the moment 1.1 Million players, you just look at the number of players that is CURRENTLY playing which is of no relevance at all.

 

http://steamspy.com/app/271590

 

XenoX, I always give you the benefit of the doubt - so re-read my post more carefully in the areas you're discussing and you'll see I'm making clear distinctions.

 

A) Rockstar probably shouldn't lie about sales or 'daily player' numbers. What they can do, and likely do, is leave out a whooooole lot of other critical data so they can quite legally promote the game without damaging its image. Yes, alot of people have played it in the last 2 weeks. And? Just how many of those were Online? What about Skyrim? ArmA 3 (which is largely played by single player enthusiasts)?

 

What's leftover is what can actually be known. And it isn't alot - when compared to other contemporary titles.

 

B) You assume that lots of Shark Card $$$ = 'immense player count.' It doesn't. That question, if it is to be answered, is only known by Rockstar itself. I can buy a real, billion dollar yacht, and sail it to Monaco, but it does not follow everyone is doing the same.

 

All I can do is look at actual figures, daily figures, and even then - none of those figures say just how many are actually Online. Hell even Skyrim is clocking in 2 years older and at a daily rate comparable to the entire GTA V title.

 

So it has to be assumed that at least on PC alone, not that many people are playing the Online title. Some of them must be playing single player - and at 20-30k-ish.. not very impressive numbers.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Operation Paperclip

[The Ost]

At the moment, i'm skeptical of the original long term plan of GTA:O, to exist beyond GTA V (which it has achieved) and continue through GTA VI and beyond.

 

The way online is being run at the current time, it's all about quick turnaround content with short life-spans, expensive purchases which are drip fed to the playerbase.

 

Doing this burns out a large portion of the playerbase. It also creates unrealistic expectations and impatience. Now, we can say the game is not new and has been out a while, but the original long term plan was for this to exist for many more years. I wonder if there was a conflict of interest internally about how to run the game.

 

Personally, I'd prefer larger releases of content with longer intervals between each release. Let me discover the content at my own pace.

 

I would even be happy if they clearly stated "we are not going to release a new update for x months". I can find my own entertainment within the game until then.

Although it would be nice in the meantime to give us a few more double $ weekends, so that we can play the game and earn the money to access the recently added content.

[rlk232]

^Your "friends" are at no relevance for data purposes, what I provided was actual proof that GTA Onlines active player count is still at 1.1 Million on PC,(the platform with the least amount of sales and the most amount of hackers)

 

Merely the number itself is of little value, with no context. I said like 95% of my friends don't play, right? They do mostly log in just to check out their stuff is the same/still there every week or so, then quit immediately after. So they're still going to be counted technically, but it's not the same at all.

 

As I said, if R* came out and said, well we didn't really lose many players on PC, anyone with a modicum of common sense is going to ask how they're measuring that number. It open them up to scrutiny, especially since they're a publicly traded/commonly held company. If they were found manipulating data like that publicly, they could face serious penalties. So if they really had the same number of players, playing for the same amount of time, they'd be throwing themselves an effing tickertape parade.

Edited May 5, 2016 by rlk232

[No_Future]

I rarely play GTAO these days. It's been a huge let down for me the past 2 months. The VIP update brought some life to the game but the constant release of Benny's Lowriders and Adversary Modes has been a dissapointment. I'm still hoping for a massive update though...i won't lie. But for now it's just Battlefront for me.

[gtarusty]

I have been playing this game since day 1. I love to hate it. The only major complaint i have is the modders griefing players. If you want to add stuff like ufos or xmas trees everywhere go ahead but once you start mass killing everyone or using godmode or even stealing their money cars, ect. I think you have crossed the line. Plus lets be honest with the way games are going like COD one year old and they stop supporting it and still charge full price for camos after 3 years. This game is working on three years of new stuff coming out and they are trying to keep it fresh. I don't like these new modes but at least they still doing something. Like most of you i would love to see new missions or even heists.

[rodrich266]

Well I am optimistic for it's future, but for me that future will be whenever the next GTA drops and hopefully they merge the two. Right now things are not looking good but I am confident that this is just a bad moment, and not an eternity.

 

I keep going back to play because I find it addictive and fun, but I almost exclusively play GTAO by myself unless I do heists or races. Rarely I play other modes but they are fun sometimes, but I'm a more solo type of guy and if it wasn't for the almost instant session split I get on free roam I'd use it more too. I know my connection has issues but it has never been this bad with GTAO and I play other games fine online.

 

I got used to playing invite only but I still find fun in some PvP. But I'd much rather do PvE and co-op, hopefully in some near-future Lamar missions are soloable and I can play heists with bots a-la SP, giving a payout depending on the bot's performance. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I hate playing with others, its very fun most of the time but the waiting is just not worth it for me.

[Emu War]

 

Until a little over a year ago I had not played video games since I was in high school 20 years ago. I bought a PS4 because I wanted to play MLB The Show as a big baseball fan. I bought it and enjoyed it. A friend of mine told me about GTA Online and when I saw some game play I was amazed. I bought it and have been playing for 14 months and still think it is amazing. Maybe younger people (I am 38) are used to the amazing video games now but as someone that last owned a super nintendo I cannot believe how cool GTAO and a couple other games I have played are. Maybe years down the line I will be more cynical or bitter about lack of updates or new content. But I think this game is so fun and as long as people are online to play Heists, deathmatches, parachuting, racing, adversary modes, piracy prevention, free roam randomness, and my favorite mode Rockets Versus Insurgents I will continue to play the game even if there is never another update.

You bought GTA V... Just to skip the story and head to Online?

 

Oh my sweet lord I think I'm having a heart attack.

You mean to tell me he spent $60 on a game then played the part of it he wanted to play? No way!

[D9fred95]

Voted "no" and "worse". Online is not how it used to be, it's terrible now. Everything is overpriced to the point that if you don't play regularly you need to grind or buy cash cards. If you're lucky, a double $$ event could be in progress, otherwise you're grinding. You either do CM's like mad which depending on your skill you could make $100k an hour or do heists and hope to god your teammates are intelligent enough to not go nuts every two seconds.

 

I've given up on GTAO. Some say all other games out on the market are "inferior" to Online, I heavily disagree. I'd rather have the teamwork aspect of Left 4 Dead rather than Online's, at least if someone leaves you don't instantly fail. Want GTAO in a format that actually works? It's called RDR Multiplayer. It's got everything you could want out of Online without BS money management and four year olds in pink Adders blowing everything up for lulz.

[Con9mm]

Just want more verified Deathmatches. Like a crap-load of ' em.

[M.K.N.]

Not just the broken matchmaking GTA O is currently experiencing, but players who plays nothing but Heists and other stuff like races and DMs while staying far away from Adversary Modes. Oh, and the usual hackers running rampant as well on the PC version.

[GTAVGG]

I don't even know if this game is worth playing anymore while its in its current state.

[shadowoperative]

I don't even know if this game is worth playing anymore while its in its current state.

I don't even know why I went into passive mode to respond to you.

[blingdiablo]

Releasing "free" updates that have no substance and are nothing more than the addition of shiny, over priced sh*t to buy is slowly but surely killing the game.

 

Seriously, all it would take to get me playing again would be to release some actual content, like new missions. You know, THINGS TO DO.

 

If it's just STUFF TO BUY....well, no thanks. I'm not buying shark cards and I have better things to do with my time than try to make enough to afford the damnably stupid prices in Online.

 

Hell, even if they just altered the prices to make the time spent more reasonable, or even adjusted the value of the shark cards, (I'd spend $10 for $10mil in game, but no way I'm spending $50 on it), I'd probably play.

 

But no, they just spit out expensive sh*t to buy with nothing new to do. God, it's making me yawn just thinking about it.

 

Haven't played in months, have yet to see any reason to start up again. It's kinda sad.

[shadowoperative]

Releasing "free" updates that have no substance and are nothing more than the addition of shiny, over priced sh*t to buy is slowly but surely killing the game.

 

Seriously, all it would take to get me playing again would be to release some actual content, like new missions. You know, THINGS TO DO.

 

If it's just STUFF TO BUY....well, no thanks. I'm not buying shark cards and I have better things to do with my time than try to make enough to afford the damnably stupid prices in Online.

 

Hell, even if they just altered the prices to make the time spent more reasonable, or even adjusted the value of the shark cards, (I'd spend $10 for $10mil in game, but no way I'm spending $50 on it), I'd probably play.

 

But no, they just spit out expensive sh*t to buy with nothing new to do. God, it's making me yawn just thinking about it.

 

Haven't played in months, have yet to see any reason to start up again. It's kinda sad.

Looks like it's time for you to move on.

[ninjcarter30]

yep always the same old missions over and over again need some new ones especially when your a high ranked level ect hope they bring out a new update with somebmissions ect or maybe sum new fun things to do! I'm still currently playing made a new character level 34 as somehow my old charactor dissapeared god knows how never deleted it

 

Releasing "free" updates that have no substance and are nothing more than the addition of shiny, over priced sh*t to buy is slowly but surely killing the game.

 

Seriously, all it would take to get me playing again would be to release some actual content, like new missions. You know, THINGS TO DO.

 

If it's just STUFF TO BUY....well, no thanks. I'm not buying shark cards and I have better things to do with my time than try to make enough to afford the damnably stupid prices in Online.

 

Hell, even if they just altered the prices to make the time spent more reasonable, or even adjusted the value of the shark cards, (I'd spend $10 for $10mil in game, but no way I'm spending $50 on it), I'd probably play.

 

But no, they just spit out expensive sh*t to buy with nothing new to do. God, it's making me yawn just thinking about it.

 

Haven't played in months, have yet to see any reason to start up again. It's kinda sad.

 

Looks like it's time for you to move on.

[pete_95973]

 

Until a little over a year ago I had not played video games since I was in high school 20 years ago. I bought a PS4 because I wanted to play MLB The Show as a big baseball fan. I bought it and enjoyed it. A friend of mine told me about GTA Online and when I saw some game play I was amazed. I bought it and have been playing for 14 months and still think it is amazing. Maybe younger people (I am 38) are used to the amazing video games now but as someone that last owned a super nintendo I cannot believe how cool GTAO and a couple other games I have played are. Maybe years down the line I will be more cynical or bitter about lack of updates or new content. But I think this game is so fun and as long as people are online to play Heists, deathmatches, parachuting, racing, adversary modes, piracy prevention, free roam randomness, and my favorite mode Rockets Versus Insurgents I will continue to play the game even if there is never another update.

You bought GTA V... Just to skip the story and head to Online?

 

Oh my sweet lord I think I'm having a heart attack.

 

Yeah, I never played more than the prologue until I was a level 150 online probably. Today I am a level 318 and I think I am 37% complete on story mode. I do enjoy it and play it time to time (especially if my internet goes down!) but still prefer online.

[Aviator10]

Personally, this song expresses my opinion about GTA onl8ne freeroam pvp's:

 

Bawitdaba, da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy set the boogie set up jump the boogie.

my name is kid rock

[CarimboHanky]

 

Personally, this song expresses my opinion about GTA onl8ne freeroam pvp's:

 

Bawitdaba, da bang da bang diggy diggy diggy set the boogie set up jump the boogie.

my name is kid rockare you an american badass?

 

 

 

[kk9fan97]

The game is a complete mess and as they have done since pretty much week 2 (remember nothing on GTA Online worked for pretty much the whole first week that it was out for) Rockstar ignores the issues and adds useless stuff to the game but fixes nothing. Their complete lack of action, likely due to their incompetence allowed the money modding in late 2013/early 2014 to get completely out of control and has now once again allowed the cheating to get out of control and the dumbest decision they ever made was to shut the banhammer email down and stop accepting cheater report support tickets and in the process showed how little they know know about their own game by telling the players in the zendesk auto response to the cheater report support tickets to only report the cheaters by selecting the non-existent "cheater" option in the in-game reporting system..... It's also no coincidence that the cheating and modding completely took off soon after they shut those down...

Their incompetence has also led to how broken the game is and is to blame for the 300 connection errors/issues. They can't seem to fix anything without breaking and re-breaking 50 other things in the process.
Rockstar has allowed and caused the game to become a complete mess and as long as they continue with their inaction on every issue with this game it is going to get worse and worse and eventually they will run it into the ground.

Edited May 7, 2016 by kk9fan97

[am30]

@paperclip Are you suggesting Rockstar/TakeTwo "faked" the number of 8 million players?

 

In that case... a big LMAO.

 

They HAVE legal obligation to state CORRECT numbers, especially in front of their investors.

 

And we all know that successful companies are always honest and open in all their dealings........

 

It was actually 8 million connections, not players. Think about all the times we have to switch session or get an error message. It's probably only about 100 players constantly trying to connect to a session or their friends.

Rockstar has allowed and caused the game to become a complete mess and as long as they continue with their inaction on every issue with this game it is going to get worse and worse and eventually they will run it into the ground.

 

What do you mean eventually? It's already there!

[shadowoperative]

Had fun this morning.

 

State of grace.

[Senju007]

I have been playing this game since day 1. I love to hate it. The only major complaint i have is the modders griefing players. If you want to add stuff like ufos or xmas trees everywhere go ahead but once you start mass killing everyone or using godmode or even stealing their money cars, ect. I think you have crossed the line. Plus lets be honest with the way games are going like COD one year old and they stop supporting it and still charge full price for camos after 3 years. This game is working on three years of new stuff coming out and they are trying to keep it fresh. I don't like these new modes but at least they still doing something. Like most of you i would love to see new missions or even heists.

[blingdiablo]

 

Releasing "free" updates that have no substance and are nothing more than the addition of shiny, over priced sh*t to buy is slowly but surely killing the game.

 

Seriously, all it would take to get me playing again would be to release some actual content, like new missions. You know, THINGS TO DO.

 

If it's just STUFF TO BUY....well, no thanks. I'm not buying shark cards and I have better things to do with my time than try to make enough to afford the damnably stupid prices in Online.

 

Hell, even if they just altered the prices to make the time spent more reasonable, or even adjusted the value of the shark cards, (I'd spend $10 for $10mil in game, but no way I'm spending $50 on it), I'd probably play.

 

But no, they just spit out expensive sh*t to buy with nothing new to do. God, it's making me yawn just thinking about it.

 

Haven't played in months, have yet to see any reason to start up again. It's kinda sad.

Looks like it's time for you to move on.

 

 

I have.

 

Like I said, I haven't played in months.

 

I check the forums maybe once a week just to see what's up. Hoping maybe something has changed, some new missions or actual content added......... But no, it's always just more sh*t to spend money on. Sad.