Image: Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto 5 is getting a suite of next-gen upgrades on PC.
Rockstar Games is officially bringing Grand Theft Auto 5’s next-gen upgrades, which were previously released only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, to PC platforms at long last. These new features include better graphics options and faster loading times, in addition to new content like animal encounters and more vehicles.
Grand Theft Auto 5 gets next-gen PC upgrades
The next-gen upgrades previously included in GTA 5’s ‘Expanded and Enhanced’ edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles are finally arriving on PCs, albeit three years later. All GTA 5 players who own the game on PC will be able to upgrade to its new version for free, and a one-time Character Migration feature will also allow them to carry over their Story Mode and Online progress.
This version will come with a few graphical improvements, such as ray tracing features inclusive of ambient occlusion, global illumination, ray traced shadows, and reflections. The game will also feature faster loading, and enhanced support for higher resolutions, framerates, and aspect ratios. Rockstar is also adding support for Nvidia DLSS 3, AMD FSR1 and FSR3, and Dolby Atmos, with a host of audio upgrades.
According to Rockstar, here are the new PC features you can expect to partake in:
- Enjoy a range of new vehicles and upgrades at Hao’s Special Works (HSW) that push automotive performance to new heights, and test your driving skills with Premium Test Rides, HSW Races, and HSW Time Trials.
- Encounter Ambient Animals all across Southern San Andreas and take pictures of them to participate in the daily Wildlife Photography Challenge for new rewards.
- PC players can sign up for GTA+ Membership to get special benefits in the upgraded version of GTA Online and beyond.
- Track your criminal movements across all of GTA Online’s updates with the Career Progress feature as you build your empire.
- Navigate a refreshed Landing Page as your starting destination to get straight into the action. Plus, take advantage of an improved introductory flow for newer players with a GTA$4,000,000 windfall to buy property, vehicles, and other items when you start off as an Executive, Gunrunner, Nightclub Owner, or Biker in the Career Builder.
For those still playing GTA Online, PC players can now finally purchase GTA+, the game’s monthly subscription that allows access to member-only Shark Cards with 15% bonus GTA$, on top of GTA$500,000 per month. All in exchange for a monthly fee, of couse.
Anyone with PC hardware that can’t run this new version of GTA 5 need not worry, either. Rockstar will apparently continue support for the previous version of GTA 5 on PC, allowing FiveM support to continue. However, the original version of GTA Online will run as a separate instance as a result, putting players in different sessions if they’re playing different versions of the game.
GTA 5’s PC upgrades will arrive on 4 March, 2025.
