GTA Online has launched on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, but there have been multiple reports of the game facing problems and not working.
The online multiplayer component has gone live, and millions of gamers have logged onto Rockstar Games servers to download the online update, but the online game in itself has not been launching as Rockstar faces server issues when supporting Grand Theft Auto Online.
After installing the downloaded software, gamers are seeing error messages such as "failure to host session" message when attempting to connect.
This problem is of no surprise, as Rockstar Games has already predicted that the launch will be buggy. The company has already warned of initial technical problems that may occur within the first few days of launch. Rockstar stated last week: "This sort of thing is inevitable in a massive open-world game and there'll surely be lots more unexpected oddities like this in the Online world next week. Rest assured we'll be monitoring and actively doing all we can to smooth such things out as they happen, but we need your help to find them, as well as your feedback to help fine tune all of the game's systems so everything is perfectly balanced."
Rockstar has apologized for the server issues and problems that have plagues users since the game's online launch.
Rockstar's site states: "We apologise for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this." The company added that they are "working around the clock to buy and add more servers" to support Grand Theft Auto Online.
The games company has set up a support page to assist users facing such problems. Click here to get Rockstar's latest updates on GTA online status.
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Here's what Rockstar Games posted on its blog regarding the launch of GTA Online on October 1, 2013:
Access to GTA Online
- Access to Grand Theft Auto Online is free with your copy of Grand Theft Auto V. On October 1st there will be a small downloadable Title Update released on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE. Upon installation of that Title Update, direct access to begin GTA Online will be unlocked in your GTAV game menu. You will be able to jump right into GTA Online via the 4th (bottom) slot in your GTAV character wheel. We've received many questions asking for a specific confirmation of what exact time GTA Online will be available but of course this is contingent on both Title Updates becoming available on each console's network. As a general timeframe, we do expect the Title Update to become available on PSN and Xbox LIVE starting around 7AM ET tomorrow morning, and your best bet is to stay tuned throughout the day here at the Rockstar Newswire and by following us on Twitter and Facebook where we will be keeping everyone updated.
When does GTA Online Take Place?
Some people who've been playing through Grand Theft Auto V's Story Mode have been inquiring how the narrative of GTA Online correlates or crosses over. Grand Theft Auto Online is set a few months prior to the events of Grand Theft Auto V's single player story.
Grand Theft Auto V players will first need to download a small patch for GTA V prior to accessing GTA Online, the company announced today. Once the patch is downloaded and installed, players will be able to access GTA Online via the Grand Theft Auto V game menu immediately. Rockstar expects the update to be live around 7 A.M. ET tomorrow morning – though it depends on when the patch is available on Xbox Live and PSN.
In addition to revealing the expected hour of launch for GTA Online, Rockstar has also detailed a number of features found in the online game mode and when the game takes place.
