Rockstar Games has disabled microtransactions in Grand Theft Auto Online two days after the service launched on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.
GTA Online is a free multiplayer mode for Grand Theft Auto V in which up to 16 players stroll into the fictional city of Los Santos and cause mayhem to their heart’s content, all while earning Reputation (experience points) and GTA$, which players can use to buy unlockable weapons, gear, and more.
You can buy GTA$ cash packs with real money through an in-game store, but continuing server and bug issues have caused Rockstar to temporarily remove that option.
“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,” Rockstar said in a launch update (via GamesIndustry International). “Players can however keep on earning GTA$ by pulling off Jobs and other profitable gameplay activities rather than purchasing cash packs.”
GamesBeat has contacted Rockstar for comment.
Grand Theft Auto Online’s launch has been plagued by error messages, freezing, instability, and glitches. Rockstar recently released a list of fixes for those who can’t get past the game’s loading screen. There’s no word yet on when these issues will be addressed.
Ongoing issues could cause Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive some financial pain. Market researcher SuperData estimates that GTA Online could generate $41 million in microtransactions alone.