One of the most popular online games for PC and Console is GTA Online. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been about making money online – whether it’s been counterfeiting or drug running – and now that most gamers have connected to the internet, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore these same activities online.
In this series of guides, we’re going to look at how to make money online in GTA Online utilizing a service called Sidewinder, which enables players to make money selling other players’ gear, weapons, vehicles, and even characters in their game. This series of guides will focus on setting up a smuggling run – the process of which we’re going to follow step-by-step – as well as how to make the most out of this method, including tips on maximising your profits and minimising your risks.
Step one: Create a team of three accomplices
One of the first things you’ll need to do to set up a successful smuggling run is to establish a team of three (typically referred to as a “crew”) to work with. It goes without saying that nobody on your team should be a newb, as you’ll need people with sufficient experience to help get the job done. You also want to make sure that each person on your team is trustworthy, and that they can keep their mouths shut in case things go wrong (more on this later).
The first person you choose should be at the helm of your boat (the vehicle you’ll be using to smuggle your contraband goods), and they should be the one calling the shots. This person should have previous experience in delivering similar goods, and should be able to keep their cool while driving. They should also have a good sense of direction and be able to navigate unfamiliar waters easily.
The second person you choose should be the one handling the actual smuggling. It’s not unusual for this person to be slightly more aggressive than the captain, and they should preferably have a clean criminal record. This person should be able to get in and out of tight spaces quickly and quietly, as well as being able to follow directions precisely.
The third person you choose should be the one doing the actual negotiating (bargaining) with the people on the other end. This person should be the one with the best communication skills, and should preferably be familiar with the legal system. They should also be the one keeping everyone else calm during tense moments, as well as being the cheerleader of the group, motivating the others to keep going.
Step two: Familiarise yourself with the ocean environment
You’ll next need to search for open ocean in the vicinity of your location, and locate a body of water large enough to accommodate your boat. Once you’ve found an appropriate body of water, it’s time to start familiarising yourself with the environment around it. This will help you to determine the kind of weather you might encounter, and also give you a rough idea of what to expect from the ocean currents.
What’s important here is that you try and picture yourself as an unorganised and poorly-led group of individuals who don’t know what they’re doing. That way, when things inevitably go wrong, you’ll be able to keep your cool and think clearly, even in a moment of crisis. Familiarising yourself with the ocean environment is the key to avoiding problems down the line. Once you’re feeling comfortable enough in your new surroundings, it’s time to start planning the next step.
Step three: Gather the goods you need for the trip
The next step is to start assembling the goods you need for the trip – everything from a change of clothes to camping equipment and fishing gear. You won’t need all of this in one go, so take your time and don’t rush. This is a critical step, and one that can’t be rushed. You also need to make sure that all of the items you choose are of good quality, and will function as you need them to. If you’re planning to buy quality items, don’t expect them to be very cheap. You’re entering a world of profit, so you have to be prepared to spend money. The final thing you want to do is to read up on the latest news articles relating to your chosen topic (in this case, smuggling) so that you can stay abreast of any changes or developments relating to it. With a little bit of research, you can easily keep ahead of the game.
Step four: Find the route
After you’ve stocked up on the goods you need for the trip, the next logical step is to start looking for a route to take. There are several options here, and it’s important to keep in mind the time of year and weather conditions you’ll be facing. If it’s near the coast, you’ll have to consider the tides, as well as the wind and waves. The route you choose will influence where you stop off and how long you’ll be there. You also need to make sure that the route you choose can accommodate your boat, and that there aren’t any animals (for example, sharks) in the water that might damage it. If you do end up in a struggle with a shark, you’ll have to rely on your luck (and maybe some fireworks to scare it away)!
Choosing a route that doesn’t go through any constrictions (bars, customs, or otherwise) is the key to a successful smuggling run. Once you’ve found such a route, it’s time to start thinking about what route you’ll be taking, and how to get the most out of it. There are several points along the way that you can stop off at to rest and refuel (this is assuming you’re driving), so take your time and plan each stop along the way. This will ensure that you’re not running on empty, and can make a significant difference in your trip’s outcome. Even a short stop at a gas station can use up a lot of time, so it’s best to avoid these as much as possible.
Step five: Pick a date and time
The final step is to pick a date and time for the run. There are several options for this as well, so take your time and choose something that’s convenient for you. The date you pick should be after you’ve stocked up on all the necessary gear, and should also offer you the best weather conditions. This is especially important if you’re driving, as the temperature should be good enough that you aren’t freezing, but not so hot that you’re wasting time. It’s also advisable to avoid picking a weekend, as this is usually when law enforcement is out in force. Weekdays are generally best, as this is when fewer people will be travelling, disrupting traffic and giving you more breathing room.
Step six: Test the waters
It’s now time to test the waters and see how things go. This is where you’ll want to enter the route you’ve chosen, and see what kind of traffic you get. You can either use land vehicles or boats, but whatever you use, make sure that it can accommodate the route you’ve chosen. You also want to be sure that the route you’ve chosen is unpatrolled by law enforcement – if it is, well, then, you’re good to go. Depending on how many cars and boats there are on the route, this step can take a while to complete. When you reach the end of the route, you can either park and leave, or continue on to the next stop. Once you reach this point, it’s time to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The final thing you want to do at this point is to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It could take several weeks or months for the first time you run a smuggling route, so take your time and sit back and relax. You’ll be doing a pretty good job once you get the hang of it.
If you’ve gone through all these steps and done everything correctly, you’ll have set up a successful smuggling run in no time. It’s critical to keep your cool and think clearly, as any hiccups can seriously jeopardise the whole operation. There are several risks associated with this type of activity, including getting caught by the law, injured or dying on the job, and even losing your boat. Make sure you’re aware of these risks before you start, and try and mitigate them by taking adequate precautions (for example, scouting out potential hiding spots, and ensuring that your boat is in good condition before you set sail).