How can I work up the courage to play on public online?

[SphereDoomer]

I limit myself to private games, invite only, but there seems to be so many more benefits to public games. I'm mostly scared of getting killed / losing money / having my personal vehicle destroyed. Any suggestions? Should I just try not to care? I'm still relatively new (only rank 36), so I'm not really sure what to expect.

[Rafae]

You're scared... of entering a virtual world filled with nobodies?

 

 

Ok.

[Professional Amateur]

While I am no real expert in private sessions, most public sessions seem peaceful enough if you just keep distance and maybe use passive mode. Obviously there are war sessions, but you don't really land in those unless you're a higher level. You can reclaim insured vehicles from Mors Mutual on the in-game phone if they get destroyed. As for losing money and getting killed, you'll only lose $500 for every death, and at your current rank, $3600 cash on hand from being mugged.

[GodAllMarley]

Nobody cares about KDs, only meatheads do.. Besides u will respawn with no pain felt...

 

Bank your money

 

Whoever destroys it pays, and call it up again

 

You sound better of playing storymode.

 

Youre not having fun PLAYING A GAME THATS FUN.. Youre playing it as real life...

[Mach1bud]

You should not care at all. Getting killed doesn't matter. Getting your car destroyed doesn't matter. You can't really lose any money.

 

Not sure what you need to be worried about.

[Happy Hunter]

I'd suggest passive mode, but that's only viable if you're not interested in CEO/cargo/etc. types of free mode work, and free mode events, that kind of thing.

 

I wouldn't worry about losing money much - if your car's insured you're not going to pay anything when it gets exploded. Dying only costs a little. The real drain is if you like free mode battles, and the other side decides to turn things explosive/you have to shell out for bombs and ammo.

 

But you can just leave if someone won't stop going after you and you're not in the mood.

 

So, I'd say just take it as it comes. Killing's just part of it. You will probably end up being the one doing the killing anyway, if you find you enjoy it.

 

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Edited February 4, 2017 by Happy Hunter

[poopman25]

I get killed, lose money and get my car destroyed all the time. I also kill a lot, earn a lot of money and destroy many personal vehicles. It can be frustrating and stressful but I have learned a lot from browsing this site. At the end of the day its a video game and its supposed to be fun! Try not to think about it too much and enjoy it!

[SIM-1]

Don't worry about getting killed. Just be careful not to blow up other players cars

[SphereDoomer]

You're scared... of entering a virtual world filled with nobodies?

 

 

Ok.

 

It's more I was worried about losing things I worked hard for, but eh. I'm pretty much numb to most things, but my friends refuse to play anything other than invite only so I kind of was around nobody that really went into public sessions. Thus, I've deducted the fact that I don't really know what to expect other than "everyone will try to kill me" and I should be on guard 99% of the time is the reason that I was getting nervous for some reason. Of course, people's replies to this thread have been encouraging me that it was a pointless fear, and I was worried over nothing.

 

 

Nobody cares about KDs, only meatheads do.. Besides u will respawn with no pain felt...

 

Bank your money

 

Whoever destroys it pays, and call it up again

 

You sound better of playing storymode.

 

Youre not having fun PLAYING A GAME THATS FUN.. Youre playing it as real life...

 

I don't understand why you seem so demanding about this. Just because I got a bit nervous about public games you're assuming I'm playing the game like it's real life? If I was playing it like that i'd feel bad killing people and stealing cars and running red lights and stuff. The point of GTA is to kill and stuff, is it not? Thanks to your post and the posts of others I realized that me being nervous was pretty pointless, it's just because I didn't fully know what to expect other than to expect people to probably try and kill me so I better keep my guard up. I guess I'm just a tad worried about my money since I am still really new and I'm not 100% on the ways to earn money around here yet. Sorry for the inconveniences.

 

Also, I do apologize if I misunderstood your post at all. I do also prefer online play because I get to keep my modded cars and play a customized character, and the missions are pretty fun too!

 

 

I'd suggest passive mode, but that's only viable if you're not interested in CEO/cargo/etc. types of free mode work, and free mode events, that kind of thing.

 

I wouldn't worry about losing money much - if your car's insured you're not going to pay anything when it gets exploded. Dying only costs a little. The real drain is if you like free mode battles, and the other side decides to turn things explosive/you have to shell out for bombs and ammo.

 

But you can just leave if someone won't stop going after you and you're not in the mood.

 

So, I'd say just take it as it comes. Killing's just part of it. You will probably end up being the one doing the killing anyway, if you find you enjoy it.

 

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

I tried passive mode but I also read it doesn't work in cars? I guess in the end I don't mind. Last time I got my fiancee's personal vehicle blown up in a public game and I laughed it off after feeling guilty about it for a second because the way it played out was just ridiculous to me. I lightly tapped this person's car by mistake, and then they just blew me up. It was something, I suppose.

 

I also don't have many good weapons yet, does anyone have suggestions for good self defense weapons in public games?

I have been interested in CEO too! This is why I was trying to figure out what Public games really are. I heard that they are the best way to earn money ingame, and I'd like to take advantage of that. I feel like I should stop being scared of the unknown sooner than later.

 

I hope I'm understanding everything right here!

[Happy Hunter]

I tried passive mode but I also read it doesn't work in cars?

That's only on last gen (PS3/360). It should keep you safe on the current consoles and PC.

 

I also don't have many good weapons yet, does anyone have suggestions for good self defense weapons in public games?

To be honest, just try to get as many guns as you can. All have their place in a free mode fight. Try get the homing launcher though (it's pretty effective against helicopters; 90% of them you see will go down to that).

 

I feel like I should stop being scared of the unknown sooner than later.

Yeah this is the big thing. I can imagine it being pretty overwhelming starting now (with all the stuff that's been added over the years), but all you can do is just go in and give it a try.

 

Anything else I can say ... People will almost definitely try to kill you, but it's generally meant as fun, rather than some insult or anything personal. Don't bother trying to do work while there's a jet in the session (those are the number one vehicles to watch out for, since they're extremely deadly in the right hands, and the homing launcher isn't really going to work on them).

 

Generally, just stay away from funny looking blips on the map until you've had a little more practice in public. (Those will be attack vehicles, and could be trouble if you don't use the right techniques/equipment on them).

Edited February 4, 2017 by Happy Hunter

[-LN-]

Don't feel bad, OP--I'm can't say that I'm exactly "scared" of public servers myself, but rather that I just don't particularly enjoy them and if you tend to be a bit more reserved in nature (like myself), they can often have a certain unstructured vibe that feels almost uncomfortable in a way at times. I don't know; perhaps I'm an unusual case or completely out of my mind--I'll gladly do things outside of free roam that are filled with other players, but I do understand where you're coming from in a sense. Being killed over and over again whilst being a lower rank can often put a damper on the whole experience, but yeah, you can't really lose anything except for perhaps your personal sense of enjoyment.

 

Perhaps just dive in and give it a try; you'll never know until you do so. Just find what it is you enjoy from the game and stick to doing that. If it's the CEO/VIP, MC, I/E stuff that you want to do within a forced public setting, you can always lag yourself into an empty lobby like many of us do. No one can hurt you; the worst they can do is wreck your enjoyment of the game

 

Good luck!

Edited February 4, 2017 by -LN-

[Gritty Garvey]

Sounds like you need a friend to wreck sh*t with and help you get good quick. Hi. John modus, nice to meet ya. Xbox one player. I know a fullproof tactic to open solo public lobbies. And i got cars trucks garages, apartments, wharehouses, buzzards tanks planes bikes boats, rockets, YOU NAMEEEE IT! Lol. I only play public lobby. solo or full doesnt matter. Private lobbies are no fun to me unless im in a car show.

[eyman]

I say just do what you want, don't let some random 10 year old make you not go into a public lobby. Go to Blaine County if you have to. Most of the time other players leave you alone. Rockstar's servers are also quite sh*t so you might come across an empty lobby.

Getting killed: Who cares if you die in GTA? you can always tap quick respawn.

Getting your PV destroyed: Mors Mutual was created for a purpose and you don't lose money if it's not your fault.
Losing Money: GTA Online is all about losing money, but yet there are so many ways to make money.

It's simple.

Edited February 4, 2017 by eyman

[FlacidJack]

Passive mode is just for you OP, it's like dipping your foot in the water before jumping in. You get to experience the mayhem without being a part of it & once you're ready to dive in just disable it.

[SphereDoomer]

Yeah this is the big thing. I can imagine it being pretty overwhelming starting now (with all the stuff that's been added over the years), but all you can do is just go in and give it a try.

 

Anything else I can say ... People will almost definitely try to kill you, but it's generally meant as fun, rather than some insult or anything personal. Don't bother trying to do work while there's a jet in the session (those are the number one vehicles to watch out for, since they're extremely deadly in the right hands, and the homing launcher isn't really going to work on them).

 

Generally, just stay away from funny looking blips on the map until you've had a little more practice in public. (Those will be attack vehicles, and could be trouble if you don't use the right techniques/equipment on them).

 

Thanks for all the help and advice! I'll keep this in mind.

[xR4PTORx]

Get a ruiner2k. Only try hards will come. If they do, just git gud with the jump and missiles.

[CarimboHanky]

limiting yourself to invite only, you are really missing on the true fun!

 

if you get killed, who cares you would always respawn again, if your car gets destroyed, who cares Mors is there.

[SphereDoomer]

limiting yourself to invite only, you are really missing on the true fun!

 

if you get killed, who cares you would always respawn again, if your car gets destroyed, who cares Mors is there.

 

Yea I didn't realize until my fiancee told me that Mors didn't charge for replacing my car anyways. I got worried I'd have to pay for it, I should really do my research before thinking about things. A lot of the events in public games seem really fun, but the new issue is if my game can hold a connection x_x

 

Does anyone know how CEO works by the way? I know I need an office, but what else should I have before I start all of that. I'm sure there's a guide somewhere I can look at too.

[LincolnClay]

As much as it is fun to mess with other players who deserve it for being trolls, don't. That's my advice. I should really start following my own advice...

[elfoam]

 

limiting yourself to invite only, you are really missing on the true fun!

 

if you get killed, who cares you would always respawn again, if your car gets destroyed, who cares Mors is there.

 

Yea I didn't realize until my fiancee told me that Mors didn't charge for replacing my car anyways. I got worried I'd have to pay for it, I should really do my research before thinking about things. A lot of the events in public games seem really fun, but the new issue is if my game can hold a connection x_x

 

Does anyone know how CEO works by the way? I know I need an office, but what else should I have before I start all of that. I'm sure there's a guide somewhere I can look at too.

 

 

There are guides on here about CEO work. All offices are the same so just buy the cheapest one and then the vehicle warehouse. The cars are more fun than crates so you might as well skip crate warehouses, they are a bit redundant now.

[LincolnClay]

The CEO stuff is very profitable, so long as you got the time and patience for it. I know I don't.

[aManHasNoName]

I limit myself to private games, invite only, but there seems to be so many more benefits to public games. I'm mostly scared of getting killed / losing money / having my personal vehicle destroyed. Any suggestions? Should I just try not to care? I'm still relatively new (only rank 36), so I'm not really sure what to expect.

The things you are afraid of are all the things that make it "the game." You can choose to be safe in the bubble and do quite well for yourself. ..I know this to be true. You can also venture into that darkside.This will absolutely end up meeting every fear you listed and and then some only to find out your limits. I venture into the wild every so often and I either come out feeling happy or I leave agitated. I know it's all a game so fo as you please. #end rant.

[Swift_Emperor]

You play the game the way you want. I understand the hesitation with public lobbies, I never play in them. You wanna meet people? Fine, go passive in public or just do missions with randoms. Wanna make money? Set up a public private lobby and grind CEO stuff. Either way, don't feel bad about your playing habits, you're enjoying YOUR game.

[mmm chocolate]

use the phone to bank any cash on hand.

 

'find new session' if someone is killing you over and over.

 

don't use passive mode.

 

problems solved

Edited February 4, 2017 by mmm chocolate

[SphereDoomer]

You play the game the way you want. I understand the hesitation with public lobbies, I never play in them. You wanna meet people? Fine, go passive in public or just do missions with randoms. Wanna make money? Set up a public private lobby and grind CEO stuff. Either way, don't feel bad about your playing habits, you're enjoying YOUR game.

 

I thought CEO missions couldn't be played in private lobbies, or is that just invite only that they can't ?

[Swift_Emperor]

 

You play the game the way you want. I understand the hesitation with public lobbies, I never play in them. You wanna meet people? Fine, go passive in public or just do missions with randoms. Wanna make money? Set up a public private lobby and grind CEO stuff. Either way, don't feel bad about your playing habits, you're enjoying YOUR game.

I thought CEO missions couldn't be played in private lobbies, or is that just invite only that they can't ?

Well, you can launch a couple decent paying missions by yourself in invite sessions. But the high paying warehouse/export work can only be done in public sessions. Same goes with biker stuff. Contracts can be done in private sessions, whereas bike businesses can only be done public.

[III-Ari-III]

Don't worry about getting killed. Just be careful not to blow up other players cars

This isnt a problem anymore.. you DONT PAY THE COST ANYMORE!.

Because of an exploit, rockstar had to disable it.. first good thing hackers did..

[Happy Hunter]

 

Don't worry about getting killed. Just be careful not to blow up other players cars

This isnt a problem anymore.. you DONT PAY THE COST ANYMORE!.

Because of an exploit, rockstar had to disable it.. first good thing hackers did..

 

That's only on PC though - on Xbox and (I'd assume) PS4 you still have to pay for cars. But there are ways around that.

 

*cough* VIP work without actually doing it *cough*

[EarlyLifeFailure]

a song just popped into my head whilst reading this thread...

 

 

[FrozenDanCicle]

Cheapest ceo office. Cheap vehicle warehouse. Steal cars till u have 32, at that point u have one of each. Sell one of your high end (stolen via computer in ceo office) cars, then choose to steal another, it will be the high end car u just sold. Sell steap sell steal etc. This way u only steal high end cars and dont have to muck about with low or mid range cars.

 

You'll be fine.

 

Oh yeah, a common tactic to see if someone is friendly is to drive past at high speed and see if they take a shot. Easier way would be to go passive, pull up to them and see if they get in.

 

If you see ceos or bikers doing work, know that if u approach they will assume u r hostile and fire.

 

 

Do contact missions with randoms, alot will be idiots but ive made many friends doing that. After u have some freeroam using friends, very easy to jump into their session and know u have at least one buddy to have ur back.

Edited February 4, 2017 by FrozenDanCicle