GTA Online launches today

The world is only a few hours away from the Grand Theft Auto Online experience and Rockstar Games decided to share some details to whet our appetite and keep us distracted for the rest of the day.

Concerning the story, GTA Online is set a few months prior to the events of GTA V. Once you’ve downloaded a free title update released on PlayStation Network or Xbox LIVE, you’ll have an extra in-game character slot.

You can switch over to your customisable player any time while in-game, which will instantly jump you over to the online world where you’ll find your friends and foes roaming about.

On the subject of roaming, there’ll be home and garage security. This means that some of the inevitable trolls will be kept partially at bay when you want peace and quite in your private pad. You can invite your friends and crew over, of course.

Furthermore, concerning the cash situation (officially dubbed “GTA$”), players can’t buy stuff to become cool. You’ll still have to earn your stripes through the Reputation Points system to unlock high-end items.

You can boost your rep by doing robberies, stick-ups, winning races and other profitable activities. You can further create your own custom Deathmatches and Races by using the Content Creation Tool.

Although you can choose to go all-out lone wolf and keep all the cash and rewards to yourself, GTA Online also introduces the Crew Hierarchy feature. Through this feature, you can climb the hierarchical ladder of your gang to earn and (if you want) split the spoils of your crime.

The same way characters are customizable through the Sims-like hereditary feature, you can also modify crew colors and emblem vehicle decals, crew messaging options, and open or closed crew sessions.

Through the Social Club, community feedback and input are encouraged to “constantly help inform how the game itself will grow and evolve.” To get most of the GTA Online experience, Social Club members will have access to exclusive unlockable features, discounts and rare items.