The next GTA Online update launches next week, and it might just hit a little too close to home for some players.
Introduced earlier today with a new trailer, GTA Online: The Criminal Enterprises heads to a version of Southern San Andreas in economic crisis. Between spiking gas prices, ruined supply chains, and a gnarly heatwave, it all sounds as though Rockstar might have had its finger on the pulse over the past few months.
In a blog post, the developer describes The Criminal Enterprises as "a sweeping update bringing new missions and upgrades to the game." There'll be "significant expansions" to a number of criminal careers, and "new, elaborate Contact Missions" starting from July 26. The studio also promises that players will have "more choice in how they climb their way up the criminal ranks."
Story-wise, it looks like you'll be attempting to make the most of the petrochemical chaos - the pain at the pumps means that you'll be working alongside the IAA to investigate a corrupt oil magnate and his family. And probably make some cash on the side.
While GTA Online fans will likely be pleased about the new update, their Old West cousins might not be too impressed. Red Dead Online players recently held a 'funeral' for their game after a year of no major updates rendered the game dead in the eyes of much of its community. For the modern-day alternative to receive a significant update so soon afterwards could be seen to be kicking the cowboys while they're down.
Here's how to make money fast in GTA Online.
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I'm GamesRadar's news editor, working with the team to deliver breaking news from across the industry. I started my journalistic career while getting my degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick, where I also worked as Games Editor on the student newspaper, The Boar. Since then, I've run the news sections at PCGamesN and Kotaku UK, and also regularly contributed to PC Gamer. As you might be able to tell, PC is my platform of choice, so you can regularly find me playing League of Legends or Steam's latest indie hit.