Is it just me or does it feel like the world is becoming a little less innocent?
Since the world is now a digital place, connected to the internet, money is no longer bound to the physical world. What happens in Vegas… stays in Vegas… right? Well, not entirely. Cyber-crime is a fact of life and while most of us still think of hackers as being people trying to steal our personal data, the truth is there are many different ways to make money online. And one of the easiest ways is to enter the world of “GTA online”.
GTA online is the free-to-play version of the incredibly popular Grand Theft Auto series, available on the Playstation Network. If you’ve never heard of or played GTA, it’s probably because it was originally designed for PC play back in the 90’s, and at the time, consoles like the Playstation weren’t very powerful. So playing on a computer wasn’t very feasible, especially since most games at the time were still pretty graphic intensive.
Since then, GTA has become a cultural phenomenon, with multiple games and movie adaptations based on the series. And with all that success, it’s been able to attract some pretty serious players who want to make money online as well.
The Basics
GTA online isn’t like other games you might have played before in that respect. It’s not exactly a traditional free-to-play game. Instead, it’s more of a hybrid model, with some aspects being pay-to-play and some being free.
This is mainly because the developers, Tencent Holdings Ltd., realize that not everyone can afford to pay for everything in GTA online. So they made a deal with Playstation to allow for people to play for free while also having the opportunity to purchase in-game items with real cash. The items available for purchase in GTA online range from simple weapons like assault rifles to more unusual items like rocket launchers and car modifications.
On the surface, GTA online doesn’t appear to offer a lot of opportunities for making money. You won’t find any traditional “penny pinchers” like roulette or slots because this type of game doesn’t rely on luck for success. Instead, you’ll need to look for more subtle ways to make money in GTA online, such as completing missions or buying in-game items.
The Different Types Of Income
Depending on how you want to play, there are multiple ways you can make money in GTA online. And, as with any good business, you can choose to specialize in one way or the other.
If you want to play the “typical” GTA game, you’ll need to either purchase the game or an “old” Steam account (which is no longer accepted) via in-game currency or purchase items with real money.
Those who played the demo version of the game prior to release can opt to log in with their existing Steam account to continue playing. However, even then, they will need to purchase either $10 in in-game currency or an $11.99 package that includes 30 days of playtime.
GTA online also offers special “sponsored gameplay” events, where you can make money by completing various tasks like watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web. These types of events range from a simple search online for “GTA online cheat codes” to look for more information on how to participate or for specific details about the current event.
The Downside
While there are many ways you can make money playing GTA online, it isn’t without its disadvantages. To begin with, getting into the game requires you to either register an existing account with Playstation, or purchase one with virtual currency called “V-bucks.”
Some believe this type of currency isn’t worth much, especially since you can only use it to purchase in-game items or to register for special event play. However, those who purchased the Grand Theft Auto PC game back in the day likely remember how expensive it was at the time, and how fun the game was, even with all the technical requirements (like a Pentium 4).
Another disadvantage of playing GTA online is that it is a very competitive game, especially when you compare it to traditional online FPS games, like Call of Duty or Battlefield.
Many gamers specialize in playing “against the system” by creating bots to automate gameplay and gain an edge in the game. While it is against the rules to cheat at Playstation games, countless gamers have found ways to get an edge in GTA online by employing cheating devices or hacks.
Last but not least, those who want to make money in GTA online need to rely on a variety of different sources for income, due to the game’s hybrid nature, which makes it difficult to predict how much money you might make, or how long it will last. This can leave you susceptible to the caprices of fate, as you never know when a sudden burst of good luck might land you a big score, or when an unlucky streak might land you in financial trouble.
The Utopian Side
On the other hand, those who want to play a more “utopian” version of GTA online, where quick money is the goal, can opt to play on the PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) Gaming Network.
Games like PUBG and Fortnite have completely changed the way we look at free-to-play and mobile gaming, due to their popularity and the money they are able to generate.
By playing on a PUBG Gaming Network, you ensure that you are playing against other gamers, which in turn makes the game more competitive. Additionally, you will need to work with a network of other players to complete high-risk, high-reward tasks, like robbing shops or stealing cars, which adds an extra element of danger to the game.
While it isn’t always easy, playing on a PUBG Gaming Network allows for more consistent and reliable income than traditional GTA online games. Why? Because the rewards are higher and the competition is typically fiercer.
Where Do I Sign Up?
To play on a PlayStation Network enabled device, you will need to either register an existing account with Playstation (if you don’t have one already), or create a new one with V-bucks (if you do have one).
After you have created your account with either one of these platforms, you are free to browse the web looking for game servers or to click on “Join Game” to find an available server and enter the game.
This process can be a bit tedious if you don’t know how to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), but it’s still a better option than using a regular public network like the internet, where your personal data is more easily compromised.