14 DAY TRIAL // Grand Theft Auto Online might be linked to GTA V, but the two experiences will not be launched at the same time, according to the development team at Rockstar.
The multiplayer-focused experience is currently set to launch on October 1 on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, coming as a free patch to the core game.
The team has not explained why the delay is necessary but it might have something to do with the network infrastructure that’s required to power the open world destruction.
Rockstar says, “Grand Theft Auto Online takes the fundamental grand theft auto concepts of freedom, ambient activity and mission-based gameplay and makes them available to multiple players in an incredibly detailed and responsive online world.”
16 players will be able to join each instance and the world they inhabit will evolve based on their actions, as they work cooperatively to complete missions or battle against one another to get access to new items and skills.
GTA Online will also have extensive customization options and each player will be able to alter his appearance, have his own special vehicle, purchase and develop his personal property and get access to more reputation that will unlock new opportunities.
The team adds, “The world of Grand Theft Auto Online will constantly grow and change as new content is added, creating the first ever persistent and dynamic grand theft auto game world.”
Access to GTA Online is at the moment linked to the retail package of GTA V, but it seems that Rockstar is ready to also sell it as a separate digital service at a later date.
The concept of the new game mode is pretty impressive, as seen in the reveal trailer, but fans will be disappointed to learn that only 16 of them can join a world at the same time.
GTA V is widely expected to be one of the most successful launches of 2013.