A proper Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal is on the horizon, but that isn’t stopping Rockstar Games from adding a groundbreaking feature to Grand Theft Auto Online: animals.
The GTA and Red Dead Redemption maker announced its plans to bring furry creatures to its long-running open-world multiplayer experience in a post on its website. There is, however, a caveat, as animals are only coming to players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S – not PC.
Players have long questioned the absence of animals in GTA Online, especially considering the base GTA 5 experience featured animals upon its release in 2013. Even if PC players are excluded, it’s a major change that some players are trying to wrap their heads around.
GTA 5 has been out for a decade, so why now?
Oh, thats tbh very cool, but why not earlier for example with the expanded and enhanced version? xD
— KokaCube (@kokacube) November 30, 2023
Rockstar wrote in its official release, "As we continue to take further advantage of the latest PS5 and Xbox Series console hardware, December’s update will add exciting new features for players on these newer systems."
In short, animals will "rove the Southern San Andreas landscape" thanks to the power of current-generation consoles. IGN reached out to Rockstar to inquire about the possibility of the animals being added to the PC version as well, but did not receive a response.
Ballad of Gay Tony's Yusuf Amir is back too
Animals in GTA Online is just the tip of the iceberg for what Rockstar has planned for December. Next month’s update will also add robberies for players to take on from The Ballad of Gay Tony’s Yusuf Amir.
“Yusuf still lusts after the finer things in life — chief among them adding to his collection of luxury import vehicles by any means necessary,” the Rockstar post says. “With the help of his cousin Jamal, you’ll be charged with planning and executing intricate, high-stakes robberies under the cover of Red’s Auto Parts, a new purchasable salvage yard where you’ll call the shots. Sell the best of the best to Yusuf or salvage your boosted vehicles for parts — the choice, and the cash, is yours.”
GTA Online players can also look forward to a new Drift Race series and vehicle customization options. Rockstar also promises that festive “surprises” are on the way, with the company also teasing a “newly streamlined interaction menu” that should make navigation a bit less clunky.
PS5 and Xbox Series X | S players are getting wildlife, but that’s not the only exclusive goodies console players can look forward to. The developer says that GTA+ Members will gain access to a 100-car capacity Vinewood Club Garage. The interaction menu will also allow console players to manage and move their vehicle collections between garages.
Here's the complete list of additions.
Additional Features and Improvements
As we continue to take further advantage of the latest PS5 and Xbox Series console hardware, December’s update will add exciting new features for players on these newer systems including:
- Wildlife comes to Freemode: animals now rove the Southern San Andreas landscape across GTA Online on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles
- GTA+ Members will get access to The Vinewood Club Garage, a new vehicle storage facility with the capacity to hold 100 vehicles
- PS5 and Xbox Series players will be able to organize and manage vehicle collections more conveniently via the Interaction Menu, moving them between garages with ease
Plus, players across all platforms will receive a host of new experience improvements, including:
- A newly streamlined Interaction menu for easier navigation
- Increased LS Car Meet Reputation points for competing in Pursuit and Street Races
- New Specification Service at the LS Car Meet, allowing drivers to now purchase copies of another player’s Personal Vehicle on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
- Custom description tags for each floor of the Eclipse Blvd. Garage
- Console voice chat now defaults to “Off”
- A small birthday gift for all players on their character’s birthday
As Rockstar charges forward into the new era that GTA 6 will usher in, it promises to bring more music, holiday modes, improvements, and other updates to GTA Online.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
