GTA Online microtransactions disabled until service is running smoothly

GTA Online continues to suffer under the strain of GTA 5’s huge user base, and as a result Rockstar has decided to disable the GTA$ microtransactions until the service is running smoothly.

In a support update posted overnight, Rockstar stated: “For the time being and until we have been able to get everybody access to GTA Online and things are running smoothly, we have disabled the option of purchasable GTA$ cash packs. Players can however keep on earning GTA$ by pulling off Jobs and other profitable gameplay activities rather than purchasing cash packs”

There is some good news for those unable to progress beyond the game’s first Tutorial Race, though, with a number of workarounds discovered.

“Some players have reported being able to get into the Tutorial race by re-downloading the Title Update, which can be deleted from Xbox Home or the PS3 XMB (Game Data Utility, NOT save data),” states the support page.

“Others reported having luck by selecting ‘Swap Character’ from the Online tab within the pause menu, deleting the character that was unable to get into the tutorial, and then creating a new character. Some who were experience this issue have been able to get in just by trying again later.”

However, there’s now confirmed reports of “some instability across the GTA Online services which is affecting even people who have progressed beyond the tutorial mission”. Rockstar says “we are identifying these issues now and are working to restore stability for users as soon as possible”.

The latest on the status of GTA Online will be posted on the Rockstar support pages.

You can also read about Simon’s time in the game so far in his GTA Online Verdict.