It’s been eight years since the release of Grand Theft Auto Online, and Rockstar still hasn’t made any announcement regarding the release of GTA 6, meaning it still has time to learn from the online portion of the game. Even though GTA 6 is still in the development process, GTA Online is still going strong with multiple content updates having been implemented throughout the years. The most recent update was The Contract, which was the game’s first story-related DLC.
During the eight years since GTA Online was first released, the game has seen different types of items such as rifles that shoot lasers, flying motorcycles, gravity pistols, and even flying cars that shoot rockets, among other things. Methods of making money in GTA Online have expanded with each update, with players being able to pull off heists, contract missions, new races, and jobs. Even so, not all of these additions to the online mode have been beneficial, meaning some big takeaways can be implemented or tossed aside in regards to GTA 6.
GTA Online, although popular, has proven controversial with segments of Grand Theft Auto‘s fanbase. The continued success of GTA 5‘s multiplayer put to bed plans for single-player DLC, while many players committed to the online mode have also bemoaned its inflating economy. There are plenty of ways to make money in GTA Online, but many of them encourage grinding, which can be subverted entirely with Shark Cards – microtransactions that give players an instant cash injection. Much of the content in the game is still enjoyable, but not everything about it should feature in GTA 6.
GTA 6 Needs To Be More Realistic Than GTA Online
The addition of futuristic items has put a damper on the realism factor that GTA 5 has been known for. When hopping into GTA Online, the first thing that players will notice is the number of flying bikes and cars in the sky, blowing up everything in their sight. When thinking of GTA 5, heist missions, all-out gunfights, and maybe even street races will spring to mind. These elements are present in Online, but the game isn’t as grounded as it was when it first launched.
Playing GTA 5‘s single-player mode is a guaranteed way to get a sense of immersion back, but it shouldn’t have to be the only option. The downside to having flying vehicles is that griefers often use them to target low-level players because it’s hard for them to retaliate against the attacks. If anything the current state of GTA Online almost feels like Saints Row 4 with all the sci-fi tech, which hopefully GTA 6 will stray away from.
To add to this, there are no level requirements to unlock these vehicles, so simply buying a shark card instantly unlocks them. Instead of doing jobs in GTA Online, players may feel that option is the only route to compete in public lobbies. The sense of accomplishment, whether that’d be leveling up so they can buy certain cars or unlocking vehicle modifications, is one that most take pride in, and regaining that feeling definitely would bring the realism element back into the game.
GTA Online’s Businesses Should Be Changed In GTA 6
While owning a business and being a CEO is a great way of making money in GTA Online, it can prove to be difficult in public lobbies. When doing missions for a business, players are pitted against other owners regardless of level and compete for supplies that will essentially help their business become more lucrative. Having GTA 6 player lobbies that are created using skill-based matchmaking would make things fairer, and wouldn’t give other businesses the upper hand on their competition.
It’s even harder to earn money while getting obliterated by enemy companies during missions. Having the option to turn off competing with rivals would make things a lot easier on players, and for those who don’t mind, they can simply turn it on. With players on an even playing field, all can be fair in love and war in the next iteration of GTA Online.
GTA 6 Needs To Rethink GTA Online’s Shark Cards
Buying vehicles in GTA Online can be incredibly expensive, with most jets costing millions of dollars in in-game currency. Most basic missions have nowhere near a big payout and require a grind to get even close to that amount. As things currently stand, it appears that buying shark cards is the most efficient way to receive any of these expensive GTA Online vehicles. Scaling the prices into a more affordable range in GTA 6 would prove to be beneficial for players who may not have the time to grind missions to earn enough money for the items.
When it comes to purchasing businesses, there are several additions and upgrades that players can make, which is an expensive process. Factors such as the location, storage spaces, and cosmetics can all put a dent in pockets for players running a business, costing millions. Players have to spend money to make money in GTA Online, which, while logical in the sense that they’re running a business, can lead to frustrating situations where profits take an age to materialize. While the option to purchase shark cards is 100% optional, GTA Online‘s inflated economy pushes players in that direction.
GTA 6 Online Needs Better Character Customization
Aside from new clothing options being added from update to update, GTA Online character customization is pretty dull. Having options such as face/body morphing, height, and being able to freely change skin tones would allow players to create their perfect character. The current state is underwhelming and needs more to reach its full potential.
Throughout GTA Online‘s lifespan, some may feel like switching things up with their character. In order for players to change their online avatar, they have to pay $100,000 in virtual currency. For a game that’s already asking for a lot in regards to new vehicles and weapons, it would be a lot easier on users for the change to be less costly, or even free.
GTA 6 Online Needs To Improve Matchmaking
When performing different types of missions in GTA Online, it can be a pain when having to partner up with random people, especially when it comes to doing heists that require stealth tactics. While Xbox players have a looking for group feature that helps them find others to play with, seeing a similar feature added to GTA 6 would make grouping up and looking for teammates a lot easier than it currently is. Most of the time if a heist ends up as a failure, members end up leaving, and send everyone back to the lobby, having to start all over again.
With a crossplay feature, not only would it allow a more seamless system when it comes to matchmaking, but it would allow players to join friends that play GTA Online on different systems. As multiple games as of late are all implementing the feature, it would be a disappointment to see it left out in GTA 6. It would also increase playtime for players, and be beneficial for the longevity of the title.
GTA 6 Needs More Story-Based DLC
Story-based DLC such as The Contract gives players more content, allowing them to continue the story while also using their characters. Not only that, but it can be exciting to see their avatar interacting with their favorite protagonist. While there are plenty of other activities to do in GTA Online, there is no issue with continuing the story at the same time.
Currently, in GTA Online, certain CEO and business missions are restricted to only public sessions. Even though there aren’t many opportunities, having the option to do missions solo should be more accessible for players. Not only would it allow money to be made faster, but it can also make the process enjoyable as well. On top of that, missions that add or branch off the main story can greatly up the fun factor.
As time goes on there’s no telling what else will come to GTA Online. The game’s servers are still packed, and players are constantly doing mission and free-roaming. With each content update that passes, that’s more time that GTA 6 can take and learn from it. While GTA 6 has no official announcement as of today, gamers can hope that the series only goes up from here on out.
