Grand Theft Auto V was a historic launch for Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games, but some GTA series creators weren't always too optimistic regarding...
Sony’s big money marketing deal with GTA 5 has prompted several PlayStation 5 specific trailers to be published, each delving into some of the new-gen improvements of Rockstar’s long-running open world game. The first of the series spotlights near-instant loading, and showcases a vehicle from Hao’s Special Works, which is a new mod shop exclusive to the new-gen versions of the game:
The second commercial focuses on the visuals, and it promises “crisp 4K resolution” while showing a trio of muscle cars driving through Los Santos at night:
Struggling to find PS5 stock but hoping to snag a free copy of GTA Online and take advantage of the introductory offer for GTA 5? Sorry, you can’t. As has been pointed out by a number of readers, you’ll need to physically own a PlayStation 5 console to download your free copy of GTA Online and purchase the single player campaign for the introductory offer of £8.75/$9.99.
You can’t find the client on the web-based PS Store or the PlayStation App, making these offers exclusive to owners of the new-gen console itself. We imagine this was the deal that Sony struck with Rockstar all along, but it’s not a great look considering how scarce stock of the system is. Xbox owners can buy the new-gen GTA 5 outside of the Xbox Series X|S ecosystem, but it’s worth stressing they’re not getting quite the same deal.
It’s staggering to think that GTA 5 got its start on the PlayStation 3. Even today, almost a decade since it first debuted, Los Santos feels more lived in than virtually any other open world. In fact, compared to its urban contemporaries, like Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City, it’s startling just how believable the Hollywood-inspired backdrop is. Stand in traffic and angry NPCs will stop, honk their horn, and plead with you to get out of the way. Some will curse at you, as they eventually attempt to steer around you, while others will be less kind and just drive through you as they seek to beat the morning rush.
A lot of what’s going on in GTA 5 is an illusion, but it all helps to build a sandbox you can embed yourself in. Take the short trip to Vespucci Beach, and you’ll find revellers sunbathing, playing volley ball, and jogging on the sidewalk; travel further east to Cypress Flats and the seaside setting is swapped for something more industrial. Los Santos may not be the biggest open world you can find on consoles these days, but few have character quite like it – the type of cars you see and the behaviour of people you encounter all depends on which district you’re in and what you’re getting up to.
The UK's physical games chart isn't often one to change, but a raft of exciting new releases means things have been hotting up among the bestsellers. Gran Turismo 7 remains in the top spot for the second week in a row, while WWE 2K22 debuts in second, selling best on PlayStation 5. While the redeemed wrestling title can't topple Sony's driving juggernaut, it has pushed down Elden Ring to third place.
Meanwhile, Horizon Forbidden West stays steady in fourth, and FIFA 22 moves down to seventh, which is probably the lowest it's been for some time. Dying Light 2 has been shunted out of the top 10, shuffling from ninth to 11th. Another new release (which is actually just a code in a box) is Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok, which debuts in 12th. Finally, in case you're wondering, GTA 5 is in 14th.
Aw sh*t, here we go again! Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest selling games of all time, shifting over 160 million copies in the decade or so since it debuted. First released on the PlayStation 3 in 2013, the game was a mainstay on software sales charts throughout the entire PS4 generation, and now it’s launched on the PS5. For those of you playing on Sony’s new-gen console, you’ll be able to download GTA Online for free, while the single player campaign will carry an introductory cost of just £8.75/$9.99 until 14th June, 2022. But is it worth the upgrade?
We already know that the PlayStation 5 version of GTA Online will feature a new location at the LS Car Meet, which will allow you to upgrade select cars with performance improvements that will make them faster than was possible on the PS4. And now Rockstar has confirmed that anyone who transfers their character from the last-gen console to Sony’s new-gen system will get a free car, specifically souped up with some of these console exclusive improvements.
“Those eager to continue their journey on the latest generation consoles will get a fully converted Karin S95 souped up by the experts at Hao’s Special Works, along with a Hao’s Special Work Racing Outfit, and set of new Chameleon paints usable on all vehicles,” a Rockstar Newswire post explains. We’re fascinated to see just how fast these new rides will go, and how they’ll compare to the Fastest Cars already available in the game.
Rockstar has offered more details about GTA Online's new Career Builder tool, which will let new players jump more smoothly into the game on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
