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GTA Online to add microtransactions?

Reddit user discovers file that suggests GTAV's online mode will allow users to spend real-world money for virtual "Cash Cards."

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Grand Theft Auto V's multiplayer mode--GTA Online--could introduce microtransactions, if a new claim turns out to be true. Reddit user 1880 discovered a file from the store section of the GTAV menu (which is currently empty) that mentions something called "Cash Cards."

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This XML file mentions downloadable content from the game's special editions, as well as four "Cash Cards" ranging from $100,000 to $1,250,000.

"Cash is king in this town. Solve your money problems and help get what you want across Los Santos and Blaine County with the purchase of cash packs for Grand Theft Auto Online," reads a description of the cards. "All purchased cash is automatically deposited into your character’s bank account. Spend wisely, cash therapy is fleeting."

GTA Online will launch as a free update to GTAV on October 1.

As the Reddit user points out, it is possible that "Cash Cards" are not an indication that microtransactions are coming to GTAV. The cards could have been created only for testing or could be prizes for a virtual sweepstakes, among any other combination of possibilities.

Rockstar Games has not announced plans for microtransactions in GTAV and the company was not immediately available to comment on this report.

If GTAV does end up supporting microtransactions, it will be far from the first AAA game to do so.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II allows players to purchase personal customizations with real-world money, while Battlefield 3 offers "shortcut kits" that allow users to purchase weapons and upgrades without progressing at all through the game.

GTAV launched last Tuesday and generated $1 billion in three days, reaching that milestone faster than any other entertainment property in history. Rockstar Games will release the open-world game on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2014, according to one analyst.

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