Rockstar Games came up with a lengthy explanation about the different features of “Grand Theft Auto Online’s” The Doomsday Heist when the update was released. However, the American video game publisher may have left out some details about the free massive update, such as the fact that players will be charged $20,000 if the jetpack they are using crashes.
Hours after The Doomsday Heist update for “GTA Online” went live, many players took to Reddit to share the interesting things they discovered about the new adventure. One player posted a warning about the new jetpack that Rockstar introduced with the update. According to him, players are being charged $20,000 if the jetpack they are flying crashes while someone is trying to kill them.
Jetpacks aren’t listed in the game as weaponized vehicles, and they also cost a lot ($2750,000 - $3,657,500), so some fans are bothered by the amount that is being charged by Rockstar in case the vehicle blows up. One Reddit user with the handle Pkplayer even subtly called out the publisher when he wrote: “Impressive how they keep finding ways to milk us.”
Meanwhile, other players noticed the changes that Rockstar did to Lester. In a separate thread, one Redditor pointed out that Lester is no longer harassing players by giving them phone calls just to talk about the new heist. Another fan shared online that completing The Doomsday Heist will allow Lester to remove the wanted level of the player for free. Both are seen as perks, so fans are pleased that Rockstar made these changes.
For those who have yet to jump into the new massive multi-part co-op mission of “GTA Online,” The Doomsday Heist is already available to play for free. The goal of this new mission is to save Los Santos underworld including an arsenal of new military vehicles, weapons and whatnot.
With the new update, players are given access to mark 2 versions of a number of fan-favorite weapons, such as SNS Pistol, Heavy Revolver, Special Carbine, Pump Shotgun, Bullpup Rifle and Marksman Rifle. The upgraded weapons are available via the Mobile Operations Center or Avenger’s Weapon Workshop.
The Doomsday Heist also adds new vehicles to “GTA Online,” but players should take note that they don’t come cheap. Below is a list of the vehicles and their prices, courtesy of VG 24/7:
  • Deluxo (flying car) – $3,550,000 – $4,721,500
  • Thurster (jetpack) – $2,750,000 – 3,657,500
  • TM-02 Khanj (tank with optional railgun) – $2,895,000 – $3,850,350
  • Stromberg (submersible car) – $2,395,000 – $3,185,350
  • RCV (armoured truck) – $2,350,000 – $3,125,500
  • Akula (stealth helicopter) – $2,785,000 – $3,704,050
  • Volatol (stealth bomber) – $2,800,000 – $3,724,000
  • Barrage (armoured off-road) – $1,595,000 – $2,121,350
  • Chernobog (mobile missile launcher) – $2,490,000 – $3,311,700
The official description of The Doomsday Heist reads: “Billionaire entrepreneur Avon Hertz and his pet neural network Cliffford have stumbled upon evidence that nefarious outside forces are working on a plan so diabolical it could end life as we know it. Somehow, Lester Crest is tasked with assembling a team deadly enough - and crazy enough - to do what it takes to bring them down. That’s where you come in. It’s going to take some luck, some firepower and some serious teamwork to take this threat head-on, assisted by Avon’s access to the latest in lethal blue-sky tactical hardware.”
Aside from “GTA Online,” Rockstar is also updating “Grand Theft Auto V.” The update will add a Frank Ocean radio station called “Blonded Los Santos 97.8 FM” to the “GTA V” game for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The name of the station is said to be a reference to Ocean’s 2016 album, entitled “Blonde,” as pointed out by GameSpot.
The Doomsday Heist is the latest free update for GTA Online and one of the biggest the game has ever received. The update adds new toys, including missile launching trucks, stealth helicopters, orbital lasers and the long awaited jetpack. The Doomsday Heist update also includes three new heists about saving the world, which eventually lead to a larger mystery about Mt. Chiliad itself.
As with most big GTA Online updates, players will first need to spend some virtual cash before they can partake in the fun. To start playing the new heists and missions, players have to buy a facility. These underground structures are similar to the bunkers added in the Gunrunning update, in that players can use them to store weapons and vehicles, among other things. The cheapest facility is $1.25 million, though they can all be upgraded to include features like orbital lasers (~$900,000.)
I haven't had a chance to play much of the new heists yet, but early impressions are good. Apparently the whole thing will take players around 12 hours to complete according to IGN. Missions involve stealing ambulances, flying jetpacks, sneaking into a secret server farm and more.
After years of hunting for the elusive flying backpack, fans will finally be able to purchase one and hover around Los Santos. The jetpack costs just over $3 million, though by completing the new heists players can lower that price.
There's also a newly-added massive aircraft, The Avenger, which is like the Mobile Operations Center truck and semi from Gunnrunning. For $3.4 million dollars, The Avenger can fly and can hold up to 30 players at once. Wild. Other new vehicles include multiple new trucks, supercars and combat vehicles. You can even purchase a giant missile launching military truck that looks straight out of the Cold War.
But wait, there's more!
This latest update also adds more weapon upgrades. Like in Gunnrunning, players can upgrade certain weapons to have better stats.
As a bonus, many of these weapons have added details and improved sound desigh. The pump shotgun and special carbine, as well as a few others, are now upgradeable assuming you own either a Mobile Ops Center or the new Avenger. If you want more details, the GTA Online subreddit has a detailed post listing every new upgrade, facility and vehicle and how much they cost.
The Doomsday Heist also adds a brand new radio station, Blonded Los Santos 97.8 FM. This new station is hosted by Frank Ocean, who first teased the station on his Tumblr. The tracklist is surprisingly big and contains a good mix. You can listen to this station online or in singleplayer.
For fashionistas, the update adds new clothing options for your virtual closet. These include: Tactical jackets, combat shoes, riot masks and even colourful scuba gear. There are also new tattoos and fancy facepaint options. And you can now store 20 outfits in your inventory instead of 10.
The number changes and additions to GTA Online are huge, so make sure to take a look at the full patch notes.
If you haven't been playing GTA Online lately, this new update is a great reason to return.
The new heists are enormous and there are a ton of new weapons, vehicles and upgrades to buy. The only issue for returning players might be the cost. If you don't have a lot of in-game cash I recommend buying the underground facility up north, as it is cheap. Of course, you might upset some of the locals up there.
You can also find a friend who has a facility and play with them to save up some money. Whatever works.
This is easily one of the biggest updates GTA Online has ever received and it's a great way to close out the year. With Red Dead Redemption II coming next year, it will be interesting to see how many more updates GTA Online will get in 2018. Rockstar assured Kotaku that this isn't the last major update for GTA Online.