Do You Have to Pay for GTA Online Every Month?
The question of whether you need to pay monthly for GTA Online is a common one, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as a simple yes or no. The short answer is: it depends on how you play and what you’re looking to get out of the game. While the core GTA Online experience is included with your purchase of Grand Theft Auto 5, there are associated costs, both necessary and optional, to consider for a full understanding. Let’s break it down.
The Base Game and Online Access
First, you need to own a copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 to access GTA Online. This is a one-time purchase. The price varies based on the edition you buy and any current promotions. You can typically find the standard edition of the game for around $19.99, while the premium edition, often including a Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, costs around $29.99. The premium edition offers a head start in online by providing resources for new players. Owning GTA V is a mandatory first step to play GTA Online.
Platform-Specific Subscription Requirements
PlayStation and Xbox
If you play on a PlayStation (PS4 or PS5) or Xbox (Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S), there’s another hurdle to playing online: the console’s online subscription service. You require an active PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) subscription to play GTA Online on PlayStation and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Live Gold to play on Xbox. This isn’t specific to GTA; it’s the requirement to play most multiplayer games on these platforms. The cost for these services varies based on plan and duration, typically billed monthly or annually. These subscriptions enable you to connect to the internet and participate in multiplayer games. Therefore, yes, you have a monthly subscription cost associated with playing GTA Online on console platforms, on top of the game purchase itself.
PC
Good news for PC players! If you’re playing on a PC, there is no platform-specific subscription required to play GTA Online once you have bought the game itself. You don’t have to deal with the requirements of PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass. You buy the game and can jump into online play.
GTA+ Membership: An Optional Subscription
In addition to the base game and console online subscription services, there’s GTA+, a completely optional premium membership program exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players. This is a separate subscription that offers a range of in-game benefits for a monthly fee.
GTA+ costs approximately $5.99/£4.99 per month. The exact cost might vary slightly based on your region. It renews automatically each month unless canceled.
What does GTA+ get you? Members receive a variety of perks, including:
- Monthly in-game cash bonuses (typically hundreds of thousands of GTA$)
- Access to exclusive vehicles, properties, clothing items, and other content.
- Faster progression through in-game activities.
- Special discounts on in-game items.
Importantly, you do NOT need GTA+ to play GTA Online. It’s purely for players looking to enhance their experience with extra content and faster progression. Think of it as a premium pass rather than a necessity to participate in the core multiplayer mode.
So, Do You Pay Monthly?
To summarize, here is how monthly costs break down:
- Base Game: A one-time purchase, around $19.99 – $29.99 or more, depending on edition.
- Console Subscription: Required for online play on PlayStation and Xbox, recurring monthly or annually.
- GTA+ Subscription: Optional subscription on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, around $5.99/£4.99 per month.
The monthly costs to play GTA Online are associated with either the platform subscription (PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass) if you are on console or the optional GTA+ subscription if you are on the latest generation of consoles. If you are on PC, you only pay once for the game itself.
Ultimately, whether you pay monthly depends on your platform and your desired experience. Console players have to pay each month, while PC players will not have to pay any monthly costs. For players on the newer consoles, GTA+ is entirely optional and not required to play the online mode. This means you can enjoy GTA Online without further expenditure if you already own the game and are content with the standard online experience. If you do desire extra content or a boost, GTA+ is available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to costs associated with GTA Online:
1. Can I play GTA Online without a subscription?
Yes, if you are playing on PC, you only have to purchase the game once to have access to GTA Online. However, no, if you are playing on a PlayStation or Xbox console, you require an active subscription to the respective console’s online service (PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass) to play online.
2. How much is GTA+ each month?
GTA+ costs approximately $5.99 or £4.99 per month, though the exact price might vary based on your region and currency exchange rates.
3. Is GTA Online free on PS5?
No. While a standalone version of GTA Online was free for the first three months for PlayStation 5 users after its release, that promotion has ended. You need to purchase the game or have access to it through the PlayStation Plus games library, as well as maintain a valid PlayStation Plus subscription to play it online.
4. Is GTA Online free on PC?
No. You have to buy the game first. But there are no subscription fees to pay once you do.
5. Do I need to pay for Xbox Game Pass to play GTA Online?
Yes, if you play on an Xbox console, you require either an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription or an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play any online multiplayer game, including GTA Online.
6. Is GTA+ mandatory to play GTA Online?
No, GTA+ is entirely optional. You can play the full core GTA Online experience without it. It provides a set of perks but is not necessary for gameplay.
7. What is the difference between GTA Online and GTA V?
GTA Online is the multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto V. It is an online open-world experience that is included with the base game purchase. GTA V is the base game itself, including the single-player campaign and access to GTA Online.
8. How long does a GTA day last in real time?
Every GTA day is 48 minutes in real-time. A full GTA month is equivalent to about one real-world day, as one GTA day is 30 times faster than a real day.
9. Can I buy GTA Online separately?
While a standalone version of GTA Online was offered on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it is no longer available to buy separately. You must purchase GTA V to gain access to GTA Online.
10. Is GTA 5 free on Epic Games?
The game was free for a limited time on the Epic Games Store back in 2020, however, the promotion ended. It is unlikely that it will be given away for free again any time soon.
11. Will GTA 6 cost more than GTA 5?
It is highly likely that GTA 6 will cost more than the starting price of GTA 5 given pricing trends for AAA games. The game will likely have a starting price of at least $69.99.
12. Is GTA 5 worth buying in 2024?
Yes, GTA 5 is still worth buying. It provides excellent gameplay, a compelling story, and the sprawling GTA Online experience. If you enjoy open-world experiences, it continues to offer a vast amount of content and fun.
13. How much is the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack?
The Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack is typically included in the premium edition of GTA 5, which costs around $29.99 (price may vary). You can purchase the pack separately, but it is more cost-effective to buy the premium edition.
14. Why is it so difficult to play GTA Online sometimes?
Sometimes connectivity issues can disrupt gameplay. The most common causes include IP address problems that can be solved by switching networks, using a VPN, or resetting your modem. Also, server issues from Rockstar can lead to connection problems, but are usually resolved quickly by Rockstar.
15. Is GTA+ permanent?
No, GTA+ is not permanent. It’s a monthly subscription that renews automatically, but you can cancel it anytime.