colin thinkable: Grand Theft Auto Online: Bringing Rockstar Games a Lot of Bling

Friday, October 4, 2013

Grand Theft Auto Online: Bringing Rockstar Games a Lot of Bling

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Grand Theft Online is a juggernaut, but there have been bumps in the road. Too many people attempting to play at the same time crashed the game and many people were not sure when the game would go online; in part because of the world?s varied time zones. Also, some people have criticized the game for depicting gratuitous blood and violence. How much bling will Grand Theft Auto Online bring?

Gamers were plagued by server issues, sometimes it didn?t load well, and there were problems with gamers getting disconnected.

What was Rockstar Game?s response?

Rockstar Games created a webpage in response to the complaints and issues consumers were having. The site will provide updates and it also apologized for the problems gamers were facing.

The statement said:?We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this.?

Rockstar Games is also going to provide users email notifications and updates on issues that arise and the resolution to problems gamers might face in the coming days.

Grand Theft Auto Online is a prequel to GTA 5, which earned an impressive $1 billion in just three days. The company may not reap a second billion, but they do expect to earn $200 million with the online game.

How does Rockstar Games expect to earn $200 million when the game?s free to play?

Rockstar Games? Grand Theft Auto Online is the most successful video game in history, as far as how much it?s earned. According to Superdata, a research company, GTA publisher Take Two expects to earn another $200 million from Grand Theft Auto Online from extras such as downloadable content, as well as transactions in which players can purchase units of GTA$ from the game?s online store.

Expansion packs and upgrades will account for much of the ?downloadable content? that will cost consumers extra cash if they want to play them. Take-Two and Rockstar Games are also counting on earning some $40 million through players buying GTA$ with real-world cash.

With the GTA$ (which players also earn by playing the game), players can buy all the necessary stuff that they need to succeed in their criminal enterprises. These things include fast cars and weapons, and they can even purchase virtual stocks or hire strippers for lap dances and? other intimate transactions.

Take Two wants to extend the life of the game as much as possible and to allow consumers to make the experience as interactive as possible. Upgrades and expansion packs, they?re hoping, will be the key to ensuring that Grand Theft Auto Online has legs, and that it will be around and popular for a long time to come.

GTA 5 cost more to create than the majority of movies. While it?s made an impressive amount of money, and has more than paid for the cost it required to make it, Rockstar Games, Take Two, and the entire gaming industry is looking at ways to milk extra money from the original consumers of their products without pissing them off to too much.

Grand Theft Auto Online has had its share of glitches and bumps in the road already, and complaints from consumers. But, it?s still an extremely popular game, and Rockstar Games and Take Two are counting on it?s long-term earning potential. Just how much bling will Grand Theft Auto Online bring?

The question is not will Grand Theft Auto Online make Rockstar Games and Take Two another $200 million; but, rather how long will it take for it to make another $200 million? My guess is not very long.

Written by: Douglas Cobb

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