GTA V or GTA Online: where should you start?
A beginner’s guide to the difference between the single-player story and the online offering.
Two different ways to begin
GTA V includes a single-player story, while GTA Online is the multiplayer offering. Both are connected to Los Santos but provide different experiences. If you want to follow a story at your own pace, begin with Story Mode. If you are looking for shared activities, explore the current online offering.
Read the product listing carefully
Store listings can include different content. Is Story Mode included, or is the product only GTA Online? Which console generation is it for? A search-ad headline alone cannot reliably answer these questions.
Match the guide to the game mode
A guide to earning money in Story Mode is not an online guide. Online content does not automatically apply to the single-player campaign either. Check the game mode, platform and update date when looking for help. For online guides, also check whether the activity is currently available.
A simple starting plan
Set controls and subtitles to your preferences, follow the introduction and learn the map gradually. Online players should first become familiar with the menus and available session types. Specific income promises and supposed money glitches are not a reliable starting point.
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