After several months of rumors and teases, Rockstar has finally given us some more details on the large Grand Theft Auto Online update coming this summer. In blog post, Rockstar stated that the next free update for the game, entitled The Criminal Enterprises, “will bring new missions and upgrades to Los Santos” from “expansions to business prospects for Criminal Careers” to new Contact Missions working for the IAA (GTA’s version of the CIA). On that, the plot behind The Criminal Enterprises centers around the oppressive heat waves and soaring gas prices hitting the digital denizens of Los Santos (seems familiar, right). As a result, an oil-rich “dynasty” within Los Santos is profiting off the misery, forcing the IAA to begin recruiting criminals – off-the-books, of course. With so many updates and additions, this is looking to be one of GTA Online’s largest expansions yet.
As mentioned, significant changes are coming to Criminal Careers, as Executives, Bikers, Nightclub Owners, and Gunrunners are “making the most” of the heatwave and subsequent turmoil. While each class contributes their own individual improvements, various experience upgrades are being added to the fun, making the experience as smooth as possible for anyone from a rookie criminal to a “seasoned kingpin.” With this, players will be earning increased payouts across a majority of the gameplay, as well as receiving access to a variety of “new modes, vehicles, collectibles, and special events dropping all summer long.” Additionally, new showroom floors will be available for players to test drive or purchase those new vehicles wherever they are. Rockstar has also hinted at some more “experience improvements” that will be announced at a later date. Finally, no matter which Criminal Career you’ve chosen, any player will be able to play all Business activities – “including Sell Missions” – in private, either Invite Only, Crew, or Friends.
First up, Executives (anyone owning an Executive Office) will receive a new staff manager named Lupe, who is able to source additional Special Cargo for all those empty shelves. Additionally, new side gigs will be available for Executives, allowing a shipment of Special Cargo to arrive daily at the Warehouse that is already packed and ready to ship from the docks. Two new sources of Special Cargo are being added to the Source Missions, opening up opportunities for the white-collar criminals of Los Santos. For Bikers, any Clubhouse with a Custom Bike Shop will allow MC Presidents to modify a client’s bike to distinct specifications and deliver them for cash. Bikers will also have access to new Clubhouse Contacts, posted in the Clubhouse meeting room. Finally, a Bar Resupply mission is being added to “keep the kegs tapped” and “clientele happy” as some more patrons visit the Clubhouse’s bar than players may be used to. Of course, as GTA goes, that’ll make you more money.
Next up, the Gunrunners will be able to make some more money partnered with Ammu-Nation, allowing for daily deliveries to specific Ammu-Nation stores. Gunrunners will also have access to new Resupply Missions and can launch these from anywhere in the game, in addition to “sourcing data from a well-armed mark.” The final group represented, Nightclub Owners, can now contact Yohan to source Goods for the Nightclub Warehouse, or call Tony to access the two new Club Management missions. Inside the club, Owners will be able to “eject troublemakers” and chaperone VIPs too intoxicated to make it home safe.
As mentioned, the final large update will be the new Operation Paper Trail, enlisting 1-4 players as agents of the IAA to investigate the Duggans, “local petrochemical magnates” suspected of artificially inflating Los Santos gas prices. These improvements, as well as some new vehicles and vehicles getting upgrades, are looking to represent one of the biggest upgrades to GTA Online in its almost-10-year history and is set to begin on July 26.