GTA Online, the online multiplayer component of Rockstar Games’ sprawling third-person action game Grand Theft Auto V, is rife with cheating, but now the developer is making a stand with the announcement that it is stripping “illegitimately gained in-game money” from players. The move is pretty soft-line – no bans are being handed out for those found guilty of cheating their bank account balance – but at least Rockstar is doing something, though it could be a case of too little, too late.
“To keep the gameplay environment fair we have removed illegitimately gained in-game money from player accounts,” Rockstar says. “If you received an alert saying that your shared bank balance was adjusted, that is because you had illegitimate funds in your account.”
Rockstar adds that GTA$ acquired via Shark Cards is not affected by its illegitimately gained in-game money removal policy.
While Rockstar is taking money with one hand, though, it is giving it with another: to celebrate GTA Online’s third anniversary, the developer is giving every Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC player $250,000. To take advantage of the scheme, simply log in to your GTA Online account between now and the end of October. The cash should then be credited to your account by 4th November.
Rockstar is also offering a 30% discount a number of different vehicles until 7th November:
