GTA Online Locks Helpful Features Behind Paywall

Grand Theft Auto Online's latest update sparks controversy by restricting remote business income collection to GTA+ subscribers. The Bottom Dollar Bounties DLC, released June 25th, introduced a bounty hunting business and other additions.

Since GTA 5's 2013 release, Rockstar Games has consistently expanded GTA Online with content updates featuring purchasable businesses (nightclubs, arcades, etc.). These businesses generate passive income, traditionally requiring players to visit each location individually for collection – a tedious process for relatively small returns.

The Bottom Dollar Bounties update offers a convenient solution: GTA+ subscribers can now collect business earnings remotely via the Vinewood Club app. Non-subscribers, however, are locked out of this quality-of-life improvement.

This move contradicts Rockstar's previous assurances against making gameplay features exclusive to GTA+ subscribers. Negative player sentiment, fueled by a recent price increase and now this feature restriction, raises concerns about future updates potentially leveraging GTA+ to gatekeep convenient features.

This situation also raises questions about the future of GTA+, particularly concerning its potential role in Grand Theft Auto 6's online component, slated for Fall 2025. While Rockstar hasn't detailed GTA 6's online features, the current trajectory of GTA+ suggests a possible, and potentially larger, role in the upcoming game. The player response to this will be crucial in shaping the future of Rockstar's subscription service.