For nearly a decade, Grand Theft Auto 5 has persisted in the collective consciousness of the video game industry, in part thanks to Grand Theft Auto Online. Rockstar’s way of allowing players to live out their own criminal exploits in San Andreas has been unfathomably successful, especially from a financial standpoint. Thanks to this success, Grand Theft Auto Online has received constant support through its ten years of existence, evolving into a near-unrecognizable experience from when it first launched. One thing has rarely changed, however, and that’s the passion that GTA Online fans still carry to this day.
When a game is around as long as GTA Online and its fans are so dedicated, the community begins to establish its own set of unwritten rules. Having rules in a game with GTA in the title would seem antithetical to the core experience, but for GTA Online, many agreed-upon regulations have ensured a mostly consistent amount of enjoyment out of every lobby. The game is built on chaos after all, making it very easy for players to use the tools at their disposal to wreak havoc no matter the consequences. Cooler heads have fortunately prevailed over the years, ensuring GTA Online can persist with a bit of guidance.
PvP Rules in GTA Online
GTA Online allows over two dozen players to enter a lobby at one time and carry out whatever criminal actions they see fit. This includes taking physical action against one other, and this is where one of GTA Online‘s most critical unwritten rules comes into play. In essence, if someone causes harm to a player, they are inviting harm unto themselves. So if one player randomly kills another unprompted, it is fair game to retaliate against that player. GTA Online players who play the game just to kill others can be incredibly disruptive, and this unwritten rule hopes to deter such gameplay or at the very least encourage consequences.
Mission Etiquette in GTA Online
GTA Online‘s missions are some of the most effective ways to make money without taking a chance in the open world. They often aren’t a simple endeavor at the same time, requiring a level of cooperation from everyone involved. If a group of players who are unfamiliar with each other conduct a mission, like one of GTA Online‘s heists, there is some unspoken etiquette to be followed. Chief among them is being an active participant, which includes focusing on the objective and not stepping away from the game without warning. Most would think the latter is common sense, but it happens often enough to warrant the rule.
Respect the Grind in GTA Online
GTA Online allows players to build a flourishing criminal enterprise and partake in lavish weapons and vehicles. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always give players reasonable access to the funds required to enjoy such things. The amount of effort required to earn even a respectable amount of money in GTA Online has compelled many players to avoid interfering when it’s clear that someone is trying to complete a mission. If that player is minding their business, then it’s good practice to do the same. GTA Online has enough microtransactions, and interfering could compel a player to reach into their wallet when they didn’t want to.
It’s hard to overstate just how much of a success GTA Online has been for Rockstar. It’s made the company money hand over fist, and it’s easy to see why Grand Theft Auto 6 hasn’t been rushed out the door when a nearly 10-year-old game is still turning a profit. The game may not have persisted for so long without its unwritten rules, as they’ve ensured a level of civility among the inherent chaos of each lobby. There’s no telling how much longer GTA Online will continue to draw in players, or what will come of it once GTA 6 arrives, but it’s surely a testament to a gaming community’s ability to stick together.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
