GTA Online is getting a big update before the end of the year and in this article we’ll be taking a look at everything we know about it so far. From a possible release date to screenshots and more, the typical holiday content drop for GTA Online is coming. This is despite GTA 6 coming out next year. It might also be our last Christmas in Los Santos with snow. As more details come out about the update, we’ll update this article.
Story Content
Much like the past few years in December, Rockstar Games are releasing a new DLC for GTA Online. The company announced the next GTA Online DLC at the start of December out of nowhere.
Whilst we don’t have a name for this update yet, Rockstar did confirm this one will centre around a new business located in the Darnell Bros Garment Factory located on Popular Street in La Mesa. This building was used for the Fleeca Job previously. Based on Rockstar’s wording, we’ll likely be able to buy this property.
It’s a front for a new criminal business which you, Pavel and a former FIB officer will run. The officer’s identity has yet to be revealed. It will be fun to team up with Pavel once again. The building will be “turned into a hive for clandestine infiltration operations where you can launch a bevy of thrilling and strategic new robberies.” Not heists exactly but still. Rockstar say you will be able access these missions through the computer found in the factory or in a brand new app on your in-game phone.
Vehicles, Gameplay Changes And More
New vehicles and upgrades for existing ones were also confirmed by Rockstar. One of the vehicles can be seen in the screenshot above. The character is resting on a brand new Banshee. It is based on the SRT Viper GTS.
Rockstar did not state how many new vehicles would be part of the update. The Benefactor Terrorbyte will gain some new upgrades to help out with things such as collectable hunting in the form of a Collectible Scanner. It will share the location of collectables within a certain radius.
The Job Creator will also gain some new features for those that like to make their own missions. If you want to take part in new content, additional Dispatch Work missions will also be added.
In terms of gameplay specific changes, Rockstar did not give too many examples but did share a couple at least. To start with, Armor stock will automatically refill when launching missions from now on. Meanwhile The Vinewood Club will be getting new features. GTA+ members will be able to access Hao’s Special Works, Benny’s Original Motorworks, and Drift upgrades inside The Vinewood Car Club Garage’s Vehicle Workshop with this patch.
Free Vehicle
As part of the Heist Month Community Challenge taking place throughout November, Rockstar shared that the rewards for the player base will be included in the winter update. The goal for the GTA Online community is to earn GTA$20 trillion collectively in Heist Finales before December 4th. For comparison, Rockstar asked us to get to GTA$2 trillion in November 2022…
If players do reach this ambitious goal, there will be three rewards given out to all players for free from the new update. So far, we know what two of them are. The first one is the Pacific Standard Varsity Jacket as seen in the picture above. Secondly, a new vehicle will also be coming as a reward. It is unknown what it will be. The third reward is still unknown.
UPDATE 21st November: Rockstar has revealed the third reward is the N.O.O.S.E Outfit and you can find a screenshot of it above.
First Screenshots
You can find all of the screenshots of content from this update released so far by Rockstar below. Click on any of the images to view at full resolution.
PC To Get PS5 Features
During the same Newswire article that announced this update, Rockstar finally confirmed when PC players would get current gen exclusive content and features. It has been nearly 3 years since the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S release of GTA V which contains several pieces of GTA Online content only found on those platforms. Given that PCs can be far more capable, it has been a painful wait. When Rockstar announced the next gen version back in June 2020, they stated PC would get the same treatment. 5 years late is better than never!
Unfortunately, the “Expanded and Enhanced” content will not be coming to PC as part of the December update. Whilst it seemed like it would have given its inclusion in the article, Rockstar stated it will arrive “in the new year”. We’re not too far away from the new year at least. If we’ve waited over 2 years, what’s a few more months?
Though to add to the annoying wait, reputable Rockstar insider Tez2 has told fan on the GTA forums that the update was supposed to happen this month. It thinks it’s a similar situation to the PS5/Xbox Series X|S release where it was targeting the end of 2021 but did not release until Spring 2022. Tez suggests PC will get the current gen upgrade in March or April 2025.
GTA Online December Update Release Date
At this moment in time, Rockstar Games have not confirmed when the update will release but based on the current GTA+ end date, we can use that to work out when it will release.
GTA+ months last 4 weeks and the current one started recently. The date Rockstar gave for its last full day is Monday December 9th. Usually, GTA+ months end on Wednesday with a new one on Thursday unless it is a DLC month. Therefore, the GTA Online Winter DLC will release on Tuesday 10th December. It’s good Rockstar have not kept us guessing this time.
Are you looking forward to the next GTA Online update? Let us know down in the comments.
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