The launch of multiplayer mode sent the popularity of Grand Theft Auto soaring once again.
In truth, while the various jobs in multiplayer mode had changed, they were still based on content already found in the game.
Turf wars, combat, racing, and heists—these had all appeared in the main story and side missions.
But the reason multiplayer mode became so wildly popular was not merely because the jobs felt fresh. More importantly, players could play alongside other players.
That was the true core of it.
For a multiplayer game, the most important thing was not the gameplay itself, but the interactions.
Driving luxury cars and opening up their Mansions and businesses to the public.
Letting other players see them within the same session.
Why did players buy cosmetic items in DOTA?
Besides thinking they looked good themselves, a large part of the reason was wanting other players to see them, satisfying a sense of vanity.
Combined with Grand Theft Auto's highly distinctive setting and theme, this made the already more varied jobs in Online Mode even more appealing to players.
For a time, players everywhere were working hard to make money in Los Santos, Vice City, and Liberty City.
Of course, there were also wealthy players who simply bought Shark Cards, but these spenders did not actually have much impact on the game's balance.
That was because the current version did not include weapons like orbital cannons, and many weapons also required players to level up before they could be unlocked.
Even after spending money, all they could do was unlock more advanced facilities and higher-level money-making jobs faster than ordinary players.
Moreover, those missions still required the spenders to invite other players to participate, so ordinary players who had not spent money were the ones benefiting instead.
As for