GTA Publisher Is Suing A GTA Online Website That Lets You Buy Hacked Accounts, Which 'Risks Upending The GTA 5 Player Experience'
Take-Two, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto (GTA), is taking legal action against a popular third-party asset marketplace called PlayerAuctions. According to reports, Take-Two alleges that PlayerAuctions offers a vast online marketplace containing thousands of listings for unauthorized, infringing GTA 5 content – including heavily modified player accounts, in-game assets, and virtual currency.
The website allows users to buy and sell GTA Online accounts and items, with prices ranging from $5 to $850. Take-Two claims that PlayerAuctions reaps millions in revenue by taking a cut of every transaction on its marketplace. However, the company also alleges that the site "harms innocent GTA 5 players" because it "risks upending the GTA 5 player experience and interferes with the balance and fairness of the game."
In GTA Online, players can either buy in-game money via shark cards that cost real money or grind missions and criminal activities. Buying a hacked or boosted account can hurt other players, but it also likely hurts Take-Two as fewer people are likely to be buying the shark cards.
A big sticking point in the lawsuit is the use of hacks, glitches, mods, and exploits that Take-Two claims infringe on its intellectual property. The company notes that giving over control of your GTA Online account to a third-party is a violation of its code of conduct, which implies even if you simply paid someone to play the game for you a lot and grind out missions your account could be at risk if Take-Two found out.
As for why players would want to buy a hacked or boosted account in the first place, some may argue that it's just a way to speed up the grinding process. However, others might see it as a way to access exclusive content or perks without having to put in the time and effort themselves.
"If you're not enjoying the grind, why are you playing?" asks Issy, a freelancer who covers news on GamesRadar+. "It's clear that some players are willing to pay for shortcuts, but it's also worth considering the impact on the community as a whole."
While Take-Two is suing PlayerAuctions, it's also worth noting that the company has been cracking down on its own community in recent years. In 2019, Rockstar Games removed a popular mod from GTA Online that allowed players to fly using jetpacks.
As for what this lawsuit might mean for GTA Online itself, only time will tell. However, it's clear that Take-Two is taking steps to protect its intellectual property and ensure fair play for all players.
Everything We Know About GTA 6
Will the upcoming release of GTA 6 revamp GTA Online? Only Rockstar Games knows for sure, but with the lawsuit against PlayerAuctions, it's clear that Take-Two is determined to protect its franchise from unauthorized content.
In the meantime, players can continue to enjoy GTA Online as usual. However, they may want to be cautious when using third-party websites and marketplaces – you never know what might be lurking in the shadows.