We’ve had the enshittification of Google, Facebook, and the public internet, now the enshittification of GTA Online. What do you mean, “it was enshittified to begin with”? Take it to the comments, because first I have to tell you about the latest GTA Online update, which lets you collect currency collected from vaults, request vehicles, and replenish ammo using your in-game phone — but only if you pay the $8 or $7 a month for a GTA+ subscription, which is currently unavailable on PC.
The update in question is the Bottom Dollar Bounties update, which adds a Vinewood Club app to your character’s phone if you’re a GTA+ subscriber. As Gamesradar points out, putting what’s being called a “base quality of life feature” behind a paywall has led to something of a scrum on Reddit and dire predictions about GTA 6’s monetization, not to mention a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth from poor PC players still waiting for Rockstar to add currently PS5/Xbox Series-exclusive features like animals to GTA Online.
GTA Online players have been clamoring for ages to be able to safely earn money without having to visit the property in question, which makes this a bit of a monkey’s-foot situation. As one Redditor put it, “So many players have asked for this feature that yes, they’re “listening to our feedback” and figuring out how to monetize it. One of the dirtiest things they’ve done in a long time.” I don’t run a GTA Online business empire myself, but it sure feels archaic to have to show up for every payout yourself. This isn’t Goodfellas – GTA Online is set in the 21st century. Still, nothing screams “21st century” like accessing a banking app through a paywall.
In Rockstar’s defense, there’s more to Bottom Dollar Bounties than just paywall rage. There are the literal walls of the new Bail Enforcement Office, where you can live out the morally questionable life of a professional bounty hunter. Here’s a rundown of the highlights, via a press release:
An all-new bail enforcement office offering lucrative opportunities to track and arrest standard and more challenging Most Wanted Targets
Dispatch Work: Off-the-book activities in Freemode to support Officer Vincent Effenburger in taking down the corrupt cops of the LSPD – all performed from the seat of a personal police interceptor
New Vehicles: The Imani Tech-enabled Enus Paragon S and Bollokan Envisage, the HSW-upgradable Übermacht Niobe and Annis Euros X32, the Invetero Coquette D1, Declasse Yosemite 1500, and a trio of new law enforcement vehicles (Declasse Impaler SZ Cruiser, Bravado Greenwood Cruiser, and Bravado Dorado Cruiser)
Drift tuning available on three new eligible vehicles: the Vulcar Nebula Turbo (Sports Classic), Übermacht Cypher (Sports) and Übermacht Sentinel Widebody (Sports)
New exclusive GTA+ benefits: A new Vinewood Club phone app where players can claim income from the business, restock ammo, and request vehicles; a new vehicle workshop in The Vinewood Club where club members can mod their personal vehicles; the ability to claim the new Överflöd Pipistrello (Super) for free one week early, and more
Experience improvements:
New Rewards for Career Progression in Bail Enforcement
New Creator tools allow players to build their own drift and drag races using new props
Increased base GTA$ payouts for many activities including Open Wheel Races, Taxi Work, A Superyacht Life, Lowriders Missions and many more
As for GTA 6, the release date is tentatively scheduled for fall 2025. Here are some things we want to see, based on the trailer.
Update July 3, 2024: In the original version of this piece, I wrote that the app allowed you to collect money from businesses in general – in fact, it lets you collect money from vaults that are collected within specific GTA Online businesses, such as the Agency Office. Thanks to Plake for pointing out the error.