When Was Additional Content Created?

January 26, 2017

People often defend shark card values and GTA Online's relatively inefficient in-game earning potential and high item prices (that serve to increase shark card sales) as a way to fund the creation of new content.

Has it ever been made public when exactly all of this additional content was created and with which funds (shark card sales vs GTA V sales vs R*/Take-Two Interactive slush funds)?

I find it to be unlikely that additional content (released in 2014 at the very least) was created only upon the receipt of shark card sales.

Even if additional content was created only upon receipt of shark card sales, did it really cost that much to create? If so, given R*'s inevitable abandonment of GTA Online in the future, is it logical to defend shark card sales as a means to fund new content indefinitely?

January 26, 2017

The very first dlc pack was announced on the 25th October 2013 and that's when Shark cards became popular.

GTA V sales are more than 2.3 billion

Shark Card sale are more than 400 million.

January 26, 2017

How much did all new content cost to create, pay those who created it, and maintain it? < $400 mil

January 26, 2017

How much did all new content cost to create, pay those who created it, and maintain it? < $400 mil

Ahh sorry didn't read it properly, not to sure to be honest, maybe someone else can help

January 26, 2017

Who knows which exact bits of money went towards what?

As for when the content itself was made, some of it's earlier than others clearly (and not just those which were released earlier). After all, a lot of it's cut content. The Dodo, there were files for a Hind, all sorts.

January 26, 2017

I assume that Shark Card sales don't just support GTAO development - it supports R* as a whole. That presumably means mo' money for any future developments, Online related or not. Maybe the extra cash can open up possibilities to funding new (and possibly otherwise risky) IP or updating essential tools like the RAGE engine.

If I was running a game studio I would be able to sleep easier at night knowing there's money coming in from things besides software sales. In an industry where a company can be working on projects for years without any financial returns, regular revenue streams (particularly ones that are popular) are probably very, very welcome.

Unless it turns out the publisher is hoovering up most of it, of course

January 26, 2017

Shark card sales took R* by surprise, they appear to have clearly changed their business model accordingly once they realized how much money they where making with them. And so, in game prices started shooting up, earning potential did not increase in-line with price increases (no it hasnt) its not Rocket science, its business with fresh sprig of corporate greed

Edited January 26, 2017 by _PANiC_

January 26, 2017

As with Happy Hunter, majority of the content that has been released through the updates were either unfinished or cut-now-revitalized content.

The Dukes, Tampa and a handful of already released vehicles' handling data was found in the files on the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.

The cheapest biker clubhouse's interior geometry was found in early 2015 on PC and/or I think last-gen if I remember correctly.

Part of Executives & Other Criminals' content was found sometime in early 2014.

The pontoon-less Dodo was discovered I think in 2014, before the release of the next-gen versions via an unused Dock-Tease photo found in last-gen files.

The wrench was a cut weapon, now brought back in the Bikers update.

Codes about hydraulics and nitrous were found on last gen, though hydraulics were released in Lowriders.

Either Rockstar changed their minds about their cut content and want to re-release it... or they were holding it to be released as DLC, like what some game companies are doing these days to make more money.

January 26, 2017

earning potential did not increase in-line with price increases (no it hasnt)

yes it has (you knew this was coming)

I agree with the rest, it's clear that shark card sales have been a priority and the business model has changed to fit that. I can't argue that. The price hikes show that. But to say earning potential didn't increase is hugely inaccurate.

GTA Online day 1. We had Contact Missions, Death Matches, Races, Car Sales and the occasional armoured car. The best earning potential here were the Contact Missions (I exclude glitches). Contact mission payouts may have changed over the years but not by much, now it's more time based than anything. Either way, on average you could earn $100k per hour, $150k at most.

Fast forward to today. We have all of the above (excluding armoured cars) plus LTS, Heists, VIP work, CEO crates, CEO Vehicles, MC Contracts, MC work, MC Businesses. The best earning potential now, excluding glitches, comes from Pacific Standard heist which will earn you $500k in an hour on average. VIP works will earn you in excess of $200k an hour. CEO vehicle cargo/VIP work grinding can earn you over $350k in an hour.

So earning potential has increased by three times as much as it was in 2013.

Prices of the best supercars now, $2.7m for the X80 Proto, $2.5m for the Tyrus, you're basically looking at the $2-3m mark. Prices in 2013/2014? Well, the Adder was $1m, Zentorno around $750k, Bullet, Entity, Cheetah etc. all $500k-$1m

So the price increases have been no more than three times as much as similar would cost in 2013.

We are no worse off. You just need to adapt your play style (i.e. play heists, carry out VIP stuff etc.) to afford the new things.

To be honest, it was a lot more grindy back in 2013 too. I remember grinding Criminal Records for days, if not weeks, to earn enough money for the cars I wanted. Now I can hit a few biker contracts, vip jobs and sell some cars and earn enough in a night to buy (and fully modify) at least one of those older supers I never got due to lack of garage space and/or money.

So yes, earning potential has increased with the price increases. The fact it's a lot more varied now and less grindy also adds to that, if it's not a grind, or doesn't feel like one the session lasts longer. You can only hit that lap around the prison so many times in an hour (and wait for loading screens) before you find something else to do. Now, no loading screens and huge variety in what you can do.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Guest

January 26, 2017

earning potential did not increase in-line with price increases (no it hasnt)

yes it has (you knew this was coming)

I agree with the rest, it's clear that shark card sales have been a priority and the business model has changed to fit that. I can't argue that. The price hikes show that. But to say earning potential didn't increase is hugely inaccurate.

GTA Online day 1. We had Contact Missions, Death Matches, Races, Car Sales and the occasional armoured car. The best earning potential here were the Contact Missions (I exclude glitches). Contact mission payouts may have changed over the years but not by much, now it's more time based than anything. Either way, on average you could earn $100k per hour, $150k at most.

Fast forward to today. We have all of the above (excluding armoured cars) plus LTS, Heists, VIP work, CEO crates, CEO Vehicles, MC Contracts, MC work, MC Businesses. The best earning potential now, excluding glitches, comes from Pacific Standard heist which will earn you $500k in an hour on average. VIP works will earn you in excess of $200k an hour. CEO vehicle cargo/VIP work grinding can earn you over $350k in an hour.

So earning potential has increased by three times as much as it was in 2013.

Prices of the best supercars now, $2.7m for the X80 Proto, $2.5m for the Tyrus, you're basically looking at the $2-3m mark. Prices in 2013/2014? Well, the Adder was $1m, Zentorno around $750k, Bullet, Entity, Cheetah etc. all $500k-$1m

So the price increases have been no more than three times as much as similar would cost in 2013.

We are no worse off. You just need to adapt your play style (i.e. play heists, carry out VIP stuff etc.) to afford the new things.

To be honest, it was a lot more grindy back in 2013 too. I remember grinding Criminal Records for days, if not weeks, to earn enough money for the cars I wanted. Now I can hit a few biker contracts, vip jobs and sell some cars and earn enough in a night to buy (and fully modify) at least one of those older supers I never got due to lack of garage space and/or money.

So yes, earning potential has increased with the price increases. The fact it's a lot more varied now and less grindy also adds to that, if it's not a grind, or doesn't feel like one the session lasts longer. You can only hit that lap around the prison so many times in an hour (and wait for loading screens) before you find something else to do. Now, no loading screens and huge variety in what you can do.

No it hasn't.

Honestly , i didn't even read the rest as i didn't see the need because the initial premise of the post made it clear that my answer would almost definitely of been the same. I hope you understand my reasoning. Sorry.

Edited January 26, 2017 by _PANiC_

January 26, 2017

earning potential did not increase in-line with price increases (no it hasnt)

yes it has (you knew this was coming)

I agree with the rest, it's clear that shark card sales have been a priority and the business model has changed to fit that. I can't argue that. The price hikes show that. But to say earning potential didn't increase is hugely inaccurate.

GTA Online day 1. We had Contact Missions, Death Matches, Races, Car Sales and the occasional armoured car. The best earning potential here were the Contact Missions (I exclude glitches). Contact mission payouts may have changed over the years but not by much, now it's more time based than anything. Either way, on average you could earn $100k per hour, $150k at most.

Fast forward to today. We have all of the above (excluding armoured cars) plus LTS, Heists, VIP work, CEO crates, CEO Vehicles, MC Contracts, MC work, MC Businesses. The best earning potential now, excluding glitches, comes from Pacific Standard heist which will earn you $500k in an hour on average. VIP works will earn you in excess of $200k an hour. CEO vehicle cargo/VIP work grinding can earn you over $350k in an hour.

So earning potential has increased by three times as much as it was in 2013.

Prices of the best supercars now, $2.7m for the X80 Proto, $2.5m for the Tyrus, you're basically looking at the $2-3m mark. Prices in 2013/2014? Well, the Adder was $1m, Zentorno around $750k, Bullet, Entity, Cheetah etc. all $500k-$1m

So the price increases have been no more than three times as much as similar would cost in 2013.

We are no worse off. You just need to adapt your play style (i.e. play heists, carry out VIP stuff etc.) to afford the new things.

To be honest, it was a lot more grindy back in 2013 too. I remember grinding Criminal Records for days, if not weeks, to earn enough money for the cars I wanted. Now I can hit a few biker contracts, vip jobs and sell some cars and earn enough in a night to buy (and fully modify) at least one of those older supers I never got due to lack of garage space and/or money.

So yes, earning potential has increased with the price increases. The fact it's a lot more varied now and less grindy also adds to that, if it's not a grind, or doesn't feel like one the session lasts longer. You can only hit that lap around the prison so many times in an hour (and wait for loading screens) before you find something else to do. Now, no loading screens and huge variety in what you can do.

No it hasn't.

Honestly , i didn't even read the rest as i didn't see the need because the initial premise of the post made it clear that my answer would almost definitely of been the same. I hope you understand my reasoning. Sorry.

The need is down to the fact it outlines why you are so incredibly incorrect. No offence but you can't argue against something if you're unwilling to contemplate any responses.

The fact is, and I'll make it short. Price increase since 2013 = 300%. Potential Earning increase since 2013 = 300%. How is that not inline with each other?

January 26, 2017

earning potential did not increase in-line with price increases (no it hasnt)

yes it has (you knew this was coming)

I agree with the rest, it's clear that shark card sales have been a priority and the business model has changed to fit that. I can't argue that. The price hikes show that. But to say earning potential didn't increase is hugely inaccurate.

GTA Online day 1. We had Contact Missions, Death Matches, Races, Car Sales and the occasional armoured car. The best earning potential here were the Contact Missions (I exclude glitches). Contact mission payouts may have changed over the years but not by much, now it's more time based than anything. Either way, on average you could earn $100k per hour, $150k at most.

Fast forward to today. We have all of the above (excluding armoured cars) plus LTS, Heists, VIP work, CEO crates, CEO Vehicles, MC Contracts, MC work, MC Businesses. The best earning potential now, excluding glitches, comes from Pacific Standard heist which will earn you $500k in an hour on average. VIP works will earn you in excess of $200k an hour. CEO vehicle cargo/VIP work grinding can earn you over $350k in an hour.

So earning potential has increased by three times as much as it was in 2013.

Prices of the best supercars now, $2.7m for the X80 Proto, $2.5m for the Tyrus, you're basically looking at the $2-3m mark. Prices in 2013/2014? Well, the Adder was $1m, Zentorno around $750k, Bullet, Entity, Cheetah etc. all $500k-$1m

So the price increases have been no more than three times as much as similar would cost in 2013.

We are no worse off. You just need to adapt your play style (i.e. play heists, carry out VIP stuff etc.) to afford the new things.

To be honest, it was a lot more grindy back in 2013 too. I remember grinding Criminal Records for days, if not weeks, to earn enough money for the cars I wanted. Now I can hit a few biker contracts, vip jobs and sell some cars and earn enough in a night to buy (and fully modify) at least one of those older supers I never got due to lack of garage space and/or money.

So yes, earning potential has increased with the price increases. The fact it's a lot more varied now and less grindy also adds to that, if it's not a grind, or doesn't feel like one the session lasts longer. You can only hit that lap around the prison so many times in an hour (and wait for loading screens) before you find something else to do. Now, no loading screens and huge variety in what you can do.

No it hasn't.

Honestly , i didn't even read the rest as i didn't see the need because the initial premise of the post made it clear that my answer would almost definitely of been the same. I hope you understand my reasoning. Sorry.

The need is down to the fact it outlines why you are so incredibly incorrect. No offence but you can't argue against something if you're unwilling to contemplate any responses.

The fact is, and I'll make it short. Price increase since 2013 = 300%. Potential Earning increase since 2013 = 300%. How is that not inline with each other?

you've literally just made up those calculations. In response I could just completely make up some calculations to counter your made up calculations, or just lol and move on, you beat with imaginary magic. Touche. #somekindofwizard

Edited January 26, 2017 by _PANiC_

January 26, 2017

Wow... Read the forums, there are topics on the earnings of different methods. The figures I used are not literally just made up by any means.

References? Like it's going to make a difference to someone who clearly is in denial about the argument he wanted to be in...

Contact Mission Payouts/Analysis

http://gtaforums.com/topic/837682-analysis-of-mission-payouts-131/

https://www.reddit.com/r/gtaonline/comments/36qg0x/gtao_mission_payout_spreadsheet/

Race Payouts

https://www.reddit.com/r/gtaonline/comments/3cykaw/lap_times_and_payouts/

Net Income Knowledge Base

http://gtaforums.com/topic/879944-ultimate-gtao-net-income-comparison-database

Biker Knowledgebase

http://gtaforums.com/topic/870086-biker-warehouse-knowledge-base

Import/Export Knowledgebase

http://gtaforums.com/topic/875432-importexport-business-knowledge-base/

CEO Crate Profit Comparison

http://gtaforums.com/topic/857848-ceo-crate-profit-comparison/?do=findComment&comment=1068846955

January 26, 2017

I assume that Shark Card sales don't just support GTAO development - it supports R* as a whole. That presumably means mo' money for any future developments, Online related or not. Maybe the extra cash can open up possibilities to funding new (and possibly otherwise risky) IP or updating essential tools like the RAGE engine.

If I was running a game studio I would be able to sleep easier at night knowing there's money coming in from things besides software sales. In an industry where a company can be working on projects for years without any financial returns, regular revenue streams (particularly ones that are popular) are probably very, very welcome.

Unless it turns out the publisher is hoovering up most of it, of course

Take Two Interactive is hoovering it up, and insist on Rockstar giving us DLCs when most of their devs are hankering to work on RDR2 or GTA6 or other projects.

The question is, how long can Rockstar remain motivated to churn out DLCs for a game as old as this just because their parent company wants to make continued profits?

I'll be really surprised if Rockstar continue giving us meaningful DLCs throughout 2017 and beyond.

January 26, 2017

Speculation but I'd presume content is almost constantly being thought up and worked on well before an announcement.

Yeah some of the earlier stuff was probably Disc Locked content (beach bum?) that was released gradually or when it was finished,

but I think we're far enough down the road now that all the content we get now is new.

As for where the SK $ goes, I'd assume the devs are on a salary or paid for the work as they do it, so I doubt SK sales money goes direct to them, my bet would be it goes to the mother company.

January 26, 2017

Is the forum auditing R* now? ...again!?

They're a company, their job is to provide a quality product in exchange for currency to make a profit. If you don't like the quality of their product then don't support them, simple s that. Personally I've gotten far more value than the amount I paid to play this game, plus I receive additional content for free thanks to all the players who buy shark cards... Or perhaps due to the generosity of R*, or some wealthy elf who donates to R*. idk & I don't ask as long as I don't pay more.

January 26, 2017