Rockstar finally confirms microtransactions for GTA Online

Last week, it was discovered within the source code of Grand Theft Auto 5 that GTA Online, the game's multiplayer portion, will support microtransactions; however, Rockstar Games had yet to confirm it — until late last night. In a post revealing more details about Grand Theft Auto Online, the developer acknowledged the ability to purchase in-game cash with real money.

Rockstar explained that cash in GTA Online can be spent on cars, clothes, guns, properties, and much more. It can be accumulated through "profitable" activities such as knocking over armored cars, winning street races, doing stick-ups, or other criminal endeavors. Rockstar then notes, "Or if you're the completely instant gratification type, you can choose to buy denominations of GTA$."

"You will have the option to purchase GTA$ through the in-game Store," Rockstar revealed. Now before we go crying about pay-to-win, Rockstar promises, "The game and its economy have been designed and balanced for the vast majority of players who will not buy extra cash."

"There is no in-game paywall and nothing that should disrupt the balance of the game," they explained. "You don't have to spend real money to attain the cars, guns, clothes, flash and style of a high-roller in Los Santos, but can if you wish to get them a little quicker. The economy is balanced differently from the single player economy, and cash earned in one cannot be taken over to the other. Most players will earn cash much faster Online than in Story Mode."

Rockstar didn't detail exactly how in-game purchases will work, but according to the leaked code, there appears to be four spearate Cash Cards ranging in value from $100,000 to $1,250,000.

In the same post, Rockstar also prepared gamers that Grand Theft Auto Online's servers — at launch — may not be large enough to accommodate the sheer number of players.