‘Grand Theft Auto Online’ Gives Players $500K In-Game Following Rocky Launch

Were you a little disappointed by the rocky launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto Online? The company is hoping to soothe your frazzled nerves with some free cash.

Although it won’t solve your real-life problems, developers behind the popular GTA 5 multiplayer component are giving frustrated gamers $500,000 for the headaches they’ve suffered since the title’s launch on October 1.

According to the company’s official blog, the payments will begin rolling out in the near future. Instead of getting the cash in one lump sum, Grand Theft Auto Online fanatics will get two payments of $250,000. If you’ve had your eye on that pricey downtown apartment complex, then now’s your chance to snag it.

“For players who experienced cloud server errors, connection issues, and lost game progress and characters in these first days of ‘GTA Online,’ we hope this GTA$ helps to facilitate a fresh start or makes your continued life in Los Santos and Blaine County extra sweet,” the company explained.

However, the payments will only be available to those Grand Theft Auto Online players who jumped in when the problems were at their height. In other words, it pays to have started your character soon after the title launched.

Here’s more information about the virtual cash from Rockstar:

“You must play or have played Grand Theft Auto Online at any time during the month of October 2013 in order to qualify for the GTA $500,000 deposit in your in-game bank account. Players will first have to install a forthcoming GTAV title update which we expect to happen next week. That title update (1.04) is expected to fix the remaining instances of issues that have caused vehicle purchase loss and will also enable the functionality through which we’ll be providing this GTA$ stimulus cash to players.

“We will announce at the Rockstar Newswire when each deposit is made. Each of the two GTA $250,000 deposits will be made by Rockstar and should automatically appear in the in-game GTA Online bank accounts of eligible players. Beyond downloading the forthcoming title update mentioned above, there should not be any additional special action required by eligible players to redeem.”

Rockstar also plans to dish out some advice regarding how to make easy money in the world of GTA Online. More information about content additions should arrive in the very near future as well. Keep your eyes locked on the official blog for more details.

Are you a fan of Grand Theft Auto Online? What do you think about the company giving fans $500,000 for the troubles they experienced after the game’s launch?

[Image via Rockstar Games / Take-Two Interactive]