Do Bounties Go Away in GTA? The Definitive Guide
Yes, bounties in Grand Theft Auto Online do eventually go away! However, there are a few ways this can happen, and understanding the mechanics is crucial for survival (and maybe even collecting a reward yourself). Bounties will either expire after a certain amount of time or be claimed by another player who successfully eliminates you. This article will explore all the nuances of the bounty system in GTA Online, providing you with everything you need to know to navigate this exciting (and sometimes frustrating) feature.
Understanding the GTA Online Bounty System
The bounty system in GTA Online is a mechanic that allows players to place a price on another player’s head. It’s a way to seek revenge, enforce rivalries, or simply stir up some chaos in the open-world environment. If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of a player’s wrath (or perhaps a stray missile), you might find yourself with a bounty on your head.
How Bounties Are Placed
Bounties can be placed through a few different means:
- Player-Initiated Bounties: Players can use Lester Crest’s services (after reaching a certain rank) to place a bounty on another player. They select the target and set the reward amount (within certain limits), plus a fee for Lester’s services.
- Mission-Related Bounties: Certain missions or activities can automatically trigger a bounty to be placed on you.
- NPC Bounties (Maude’s Bounties): These are unrelated to player bounties. These are missions where you collect targets for Maude Eccles.
The Expiration of Player Bounties
The most common way a bounty disappears is through expiration. A player-placed bounty will remain active for 24 in-game hours. In real-time, this translates to 48 minutes. During this time, other players in the session will be notified of your bounty and given the opportunity to hunt you down for the reward. However, that 48-minute timer pauses whenever you’re inside a safehouse (apartment, garage, etc.) or participating in a job/mission. This ensures the bounty is only counting the time you’re exposed in freemode.
Getting Killed by a Bounty Hunter
The most direct way for a bounty to disappear is, unfortunately, through your demise. If another player successfully eliminates you while the bounty is active, they will receive the reward. This removes the bounty from the game, giving the bounty hunter a payout and yourself the penalty of the bounty being claimed.
Claiming the Bounty Yourself
The often-overlooked fact is that if you can survive the full 24 in-game hours (48 minutes of free-roam time), you get to claim the bounty yourself. It is a game of patience, awareness, and survival. Finding a good hiding spot or constantly moving to avoid detection are important to winning the bounty.
Tips for Surviving a Bounty
Surviving a bounty in GTA Online can be challenging, but here are some tips to increase your chances:
- Stay Mobile: Constant movement makes it harder for other players to track you.
- Use Cover: Utilize buildings, vehicles, and the environment to your advantage.
- Avoid High-Traffic Areas: Stay away from popular spots where players are likely to congregate.
- Go Off-Radar: Use Lester’s ability to temporarily go off-radar, but remember it’s a limited-time tactic.
- Passive Mode: If you just want to get rid of the bounty and don’t want to engage, you can activate Passive Mode, but you will not be able to fight back.
- Friends: Recruit friends to act as bodyguards. There is strength in numbers.
- Isolated Session: Loading into an invite-only session will let you get the timer completed without worrying about other players.
Maude’s Bounties
As a reminder, Maude’s bounties are separate from the player-initiated bounties. These are a series of missions where you track down and either capture or kill targets for Maude Eccles. She offers you these missions after you reach a certain point in the game. Each bounty pays $10,000 if you bring the bounty target alive, and $5,000 if you kill the target.
Surrendering to the Police
While not directly related to traditional bounties, if you have a wanted level due to your criminal activity, you can surrender to the police. This will clear your wanted level, but it won’t remove any player-placed bounties. You can find more about the social aspects of gaming in the Games Learning Society and their research on how digital games play a role in learning and human development. Find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Bounties in GTA Online
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify any remaining questions about bounties in GTA Online:
1. How long do bounties last in GTA 5 Online?
Bounties last for 24 in-game hours, which translates to 48 minutes in real-time of being in freemode. Entering a safehouse, starting a mission, or leaving the session will pause the timer.
2. Can I get rid of a bounty by surrendering to the police?
No, surrendering to the police only removes your current wanted level. It does not remove a bounty placed on you by another player.
3. What happens if I survive the entire bounty duration?
If you successfully survive the entire 24 in-game hours, the bounty reward will be awarded to you.
4. Does the bounty timer run while I’m in a mission?
No, the bounty timer only runs while you’re in free roam. If you’re in a mission, job, or activity, the timer is paused.
5. Can I place a bounty on anyone?
You must reach a certain rank in the game to be able to place bounties. Also, you can’t place a bounty on a player who is in passive mode.
6. How much does it cost to place a bounty?
The cost to place a bounty varies, but you must pay the reward amount plus a fee to Lester.
7. What happens if the player with the bounty leaves the session?
If the player with the bounty leaves the session, the bounty will remain active when they log back into GTA Online in another session.
8. Can I complete Maude’s bounties in a private session?
Yes, you can complete Maude’s bounties in an invite-only or solo session.
9. How do I start Maude’s bounty hunting missions?
You must progress far enough in the game’s story mode to receive a text message from Maude offering you work as a bounty hunter.
10. What is the difference between bringing Maude a bounty target alive versus dead?
You receive $10,000 for bringing a live bounty target to Maude, and $5,000 for a dead target.
11. Can I have multiple bounties on me at the same time?
No, you can only have one bounty on you at a time.
12. Can I remove a bounty by paying it off?
No, you cannot remove a bounty by paying it off. You must either be killed, or survive the duration of the bounty.
13. Does Passive Mode stop other players from claiming my bounty?
Yes, activating Passive Mode prevents other players from attacking you and claiming your bounty. However, you also cannot use any weapons or vehicles to attack other players, nor can you complete special missions.
14. Are there any safe locations to wait out a bounty?
Yes, you are safe inside your owned properties, such as apartments and garages. This will pause the timer.
15. Can I see who placed a bounty on me?
No, the player who placed the bounty remains anonymous.
Conclusion
Navigating the bounty system in GTA Online requires a blend of strategy, awareness, and perhaps a bit of luck. Whether you’re trying to survive a bounty or collect one, understanding the rules and mechanics is key to success. Stay safe, and happy hunting!