Is Rockstar Pushing Monetization Too Far with the Latest GTA Online Update?

“Imagine locking a most requested feature behind a paywall…. in a 10 year old game”

This comment comes just after Rockstar Games released the highly anticipated Bottom Dollar Bounties Update which, among several other things, adds a new hotly requested quality of life improvement in Grand Theft Auto Online. The only problem is that it’s exclusive to GTA+ subscribers.

This “paywalled” addition to GTA Online is the introduction of the Vinewood Club App. The in-game app lets players buy ammo, request Vinewood Car Club vehicles, and collect their business earnings, all with a couple of taps on their in-game phone.

It’s a welcome addition to GTA Online, except that many are up in arms because it’s not available to everyone. GTA+ was introduced two years ago, further monetizing GTA Online. It’s exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X (so far) and brings subscribers a slew of special privileges.

Most recently, GTA+ subscribers enjoyed early access to the Överflöd Pipistrello (Super) and Red Dead Redemption – yes, the entire game. Subscribers also gain access to various other incentives, like GTA$ gifts, discounts, bonuses and more.

In the eyes of most GTA players, including GTA+ subscribers, Rockstar is taking things a step too far. “The car dealership and shit was already stretching it, but now including a QoL update behind a f*cking paywall? That’s genuinely sad and makes me a lot more concerned over GTA 6 online.” – calls out a user.

The same user then called out the long-time GTA developers for pulling off “one of the slimiest things they’ve done in a while.” Another comment painted a bleaker picture, “Based on some of the rhetoric from the rockstar [sic] CEO, I honestly think GTA 6 might end up having the most monetization of any non-MMO game ever.”

If you head to the main Reddit thread where all of this is being discussed, you’d be hard-pressed to find any comment defending Rockstar that isn’t being sarcastic or facetious in some way – it feels like the developer is playing with its goodwill at this point.

Most players appreciate that Rockstar finally added this Quality-of-Life feature to GTA Online. It’s at least proof that it’s listening to the community. However by hiding it behind an $8-a-month paywall, Rockstar is risking even more backlash from its community not long after it just shadow-banned several words from the game without telling anyone.

The string of incidents regarding the monetization practices of Rockstar in GTA Online has certainly raised alarm bells about what this could potentially mean for Grand Theft Auto 6. For what it’s worth, so far Rockstar hasn’t mentioned a  “GTA Online 2”, yet all signs point to the online component of GTA 6 being in development and it’s only of time before we get an official announcement.

On a more positive note, Rockstar’s decisions often end in happy endings for fans. While the paywall will inevitably leave a sour taste for those who aren’t willing to pay up for the now-more-expensive subscription service, Rockstar has done an excellent job adding more exclusive content to the subscribers.

With over a year left until GTA 6 comes out in Fall 2025, GTA+ could have significantly better offerings a year from now. Fingers crossed that Rockstar will finally let GTA Online players on PC subscribe to GTA+ by then!