With GTA 5’s upcoming remaster, Rockstar should take care to not enrage gamers once again. Most obviously, this will involve releasing a game that is free of glitches and that also takes full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S’s hardware. There have been rumors that gamers upgrading to GTA Online on current-gen consoles may have access to exclusive clothing. While this may initially seem like a good move, it could turn out to be another situation that causes more dissatisfied gamers.
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Who Doesn’t Want Free Clothing?
The expanded and enhanced edition of Grand Theft Auto 5 is scheduled to release in March 2022. Although Rockstar has been relatively vague about what gamers can expect, it has stated that the game will feature visual improvements, technical improvements, and performance enhancements. To get gamers excited about the upcoming launch, Rockstar has been handing out $1 million of in-game cash in GTA Online for PS4 players every month until the launch of the game’s remaster. PS5 players will also be able to claim GTA Online for free for the first three months when it launches.
According to some GTA Online leakers, players who transfer their characters from last-gen consoles to current-gen consoles may also get access to exclusive clothing, among other bonuses. While this may be an appreciated perk for gamers who are able to take advantage of the offer, it also creates problems for others.
Not All Who Seek Will Find
In the world of GTA Online, appearance is everything, and gamers are always trying to get the flashiest cars and the best threads to stand out from the crowd. Exclusive clothing is something quite coveted by many, especially if it looks good. However, many players may be left feeling upset if any GTA Online bonuses are limited to current-generation players only.
Although many gamers would love to get their hands on a PS5 or an Xbox Series X/S, it has been a difficult task since the consoles launched in late 2020. Not only are they pricey systems, but global stock shortages have made them rare items to find in stores. Consequently, gamers have been stuck waiting for stock drops where an entire store’s supply of consoles can get bought up in seconds, or they have to purchase from scalpers who are sure to add on their own hefty profit margins.
Exclusive clothing would serve to only widen the existing class chasm that exists in GTA Online. Already the world is split between players willing to spend money on Shark Cards, and the peasants beneath that do not have the hundreds of hours required to grind their way to success instead of buying their way there. With exclusive clothing, players would have yet another way to advertise the fact that they have the money to acquire things that others cannot.
While exclusive clothing might be the motivation some gamers need to purchase the remastered version of GTA 5, perhaps Rockstar would do well to avoid making moves that may anger even a minor portion of its customer base at present. With many fans still feeling sour about the GTA Trilogy debacle, and many more are crying for GTA 6, the GTA 5 expanded and enhanced edition could be, if done correctly, a way for the studio to earn back a little well-needed good faith from gamers.
Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online remasters are scheduled to release in March 2022 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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