How to Restart GTA 5: A Comprehensive Guide

Restarting your Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) experience can mean different things depending on whether you’re playing Story Mode or GTA Online. Whether you’re looking for a fresh start in Los Santos, want to replay missions, or are trying to deal with a reset, this guide will provide you with the necessary steps and information.

Restarting GTA 5 Story Mode

The simplest way to restart GTA 5 Story Mode from the beginning is to start a new game. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to overwrite your old save file. Here’s how:

1. Access Your Current Save: Load your current GTA 5 Story Mode save game.
2. Create a Duplicate Save (Optional): To be extra cautious, create an extra save of your current game progress. This will ensure that you can always revert to your previous state.
3. Start a New Game: Go to the in-game menu and select “Start New Game.”
4. Select a New Save Slot: When prompted, choose a new save slot (other than your original game’s) to store your new game progress. This prevents you from overwriting your old save.
5. Enjoy Your New Start: Begin your journey anew, experiencing the story from the very first mission.

This approach allows you to have multiple save files, each with a different point in the story. You can even maintain different playthroughs with various character choices and game styles.

Replaying Missions in Story Mode

If you want to revisit specific parts of the Story Mode without completely starting over, you can replay missions:

1. Access the Pause Menu: Navigate to the in-game start menu.
2. Select “Game”: Scroll and find the “Game” section in the menu.
3. Choose “Replay Mission”: Select the mission you would like to replay.
4. Save State: When you choose to do so, the game will create a temporary save state of your current progress.
5. Replay the Mission: Play through the chosen mission.
6. Restore State: Once the mission is completed, the game will automatically restore the save state you had before starting.

This is a perfect method for revisiting your favourite missions, or trying a different approach.

Restarting GTA Online

Restarting GTA Online is a bit different. It’s not possible to completely reset your progress on your current account. Here’s what you should understand:

Character Reset

• No Simple Reset: Unlike Story Mode, you cannot directly reset your character’s progress. There’s no option to erase all your levels, properties, cars, and money within the game itself.
• Why? This is primarily done to maintain the integrity of the online experience and prevent unfair advantages. Rockstar Games maintains a server-side database that stores your online progress, not local save files like the Story Mode.
• Account Bans and Resets: In rare cases, if you are banned for cheating, your character’s progress may be reset by Rockstar as a form of punishment.

Starting Fresh in GTA Online

Here are your options if you want a fresh start:

1. Create a New Character (Within the Same Account): You can create a second character on the same account. Each character has its own progression, properties, and money. This allows you to experience GTA Online from scratch while keeping your primary character.
   • Note: You can toggle between your two characters using the character select menu.
2. New Account (Requires Re-purchase): If you want a completely clean slate, you will need to purchase a new copy of the game on a different account. This means starting from level one with no previous history.
   • Important: This approach also carries the risk of a new user account being banned if a player uses any exploits or cheats.

GTA Online Tutorial

• Limited Replayability: Unlike other online games, you cannot replay the initial GTA Online tutorial missions with your existing characters.
• New Character Solution: To replay the tutorial, create a brand new character. This will trigger the initial tutorial sequence again.

Finding New Sessions

To explore new and different lobbies within GTA Online you can find a new session through the following options:

1. Open the Pause Menu.
2. Select Online.
3. Select Find a New Session.
4. Choose from the following:
   • Invite Only: Limits the session to players you invite.
   • Closed Friend: Limits the session to your friends list.
   • Closed Crew: Limits the session to players within your crew.

Transferring Accounts

If you’ve upgraded to a new console, you have an option to transfer your save data over.

• Account Migration: If you are moving from PS4 or Xbox One to PS5 or Xbox Series X, you can transfer your character data. However, this data is overwritten, so if you have created a new character you will lose all of its progress.
  • Important: Make sure to back up your character before migrating, if you don’t want to lose your new character data.
• Cross-Platform Limitations: Cross-platform saves are limited and you may be required to start fresh if you switch from, for example, a PlayStation account to an Xbox account.

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Restarting GTA 5

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on restarting GTA 5:

1. Can I have multiple Story Mode save files?
   Yes, you can have up to 15 save slots, in addition to your one autosave slot. This allows you to maintain different playthroughs of the Story Mode.

2. Does restarting Story Mode delete my Online character?
   No, restarting Story Mode has no impact on your GTA Online character or progress. They are entirely separate.

3. How do I quickly restart a mission in Story Mode?
   You can’t quick restart a Story Mode mission. You have to complete it, and then use the “Replay Mission” option in the menu.

4. Can I transfer my Story Mode save to another console?
   No, Story Mode save files cannot be transferred between consoles. You’ll have to start from scratch if you change platforms.

5. Is it possible to delete a GTA Online character?
   No, it’s not possible to delete a GTA Online character. The only option is to create a second character within the same account.

6. Can I move money from my old GTA Online character to my new one?
   No, character-to-character money transfers are not possible in GTA Online. Each character has its separate bank account.

7. Why was my GTA Online character reset?
   Usually, this happens if you are caught cheating or exploiting glitches within the game. Rockstar may reset your progress as punishment.

8. Does GTA Online reset on a weekly basis?
   No, GTA Online doesn’t reset player progress weekly. However, weekly updates with new content and discounts are typically released every Thursday.

9. How long does the GTA Online tutorial take?
   The tutorial missions typically take around an hour to complete.

10. Can I replay a GTA Online heist?
    Yes, you can replay GTA Online heists, but they can not be selected in the same way Story Mode missions are. You will need to be the host of the heist in order to start it.

11. How do I change my character’s appearance in GTA Online?
    You can change your character’s appearance through the interaction menu within the game at any time (or when creating a new one). This includes options like hair, makeup, clothes, etc.

12. Do I need to re-purchase GTA 5 to start a new GTA Online account?
    Yes, if you want to completely reset your GTA Online experience by starting with a clean account, you will need to purchase a new copy of the game.

13. What happens if I have multiple copies of GTA 5 on different platforms?
    You will have a separate GTA Online account for each copy and platform. Each will have its own progress.

14. Can I skip the GTA Online tutorial?
    Yes, you have the option to skip the tutorial when creating a new character, however, it is recommended for new players to do the tutorial.

15. Where do I find new sessions in GTA Online?
    New sessions can be found through the pause menu, under Online, and select the Find New Session option. There are further options to find sessions within your crew, friends, or those you have invited.

By understanding these various methods and answers to frequently asked questions, you’ll be fully equipped to restart your GTA 5 experience, whether it’s in Story Mode or the bustling world of GTA Online. Remember, while some resets are not possible, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a fresh start and explore all that Los Santos has to offer.