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New Grand Theft Auto Online details have emerged via a hands-on preview in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine.

The details offer a little more insight into how the character creation system works, which involves selecting lifestyle choices to determine skills, as well as the nitty gritty on how missions ranging from corner store robberies to elaborate heists are conducted.

There's also insight on how players can manage their expanding collection of cars, as well as the numerous activities available to them, and their friends, during their downtime.

Character progression has a "flow" but there isn't an "overarching narrative that culminates in a definitive conclusion"
The aim of GTA Online is to do whatever it takes to get more money in the bank and accrue assets such as cars and real estate
Characters appear in cutscenes when interacting with other characters in the world as they would in the single-player but doesn't speak
Female characters can be used in GTA Online
Almost all activities from the campaign are available in GTA online: "heists, missions, robberies, assaulting gang hideouts, hijacking armored vehicles, races" as well as "tennis, golf and base jumping"
According to Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies threre's over 500 missions. Some can be completed solo, but others are complicated and require a team.
GTA Online takes place after the main story, familiar faces will make appearances
By currying favour of characters you can be introduced to more people and delve deeper into the criminal world
Franklin's friend Lamar may introduce you to a car dealer named Simeon Yetarian, who wants you to steal cars for him
Biker gangs my support you during missions if you're friendly with them
A tech-savvy character you've befriended may hide you on the radar during multiplayer
Security firms that have taken a liking to you may be used to deliver airstrikes
Rockstar uses a "dynamic" system to populate GTA Online, starting with your friends and crew members, then similarly skilled players in the same part of the world.
GTA Online has been created to be "as customisable as possible" in terms of who you play with: "there are options to let the game decide who to play with... or you can hand pick every player in the game".
The game analyses your playing style as you play and surfaces missions that appeal more to your style.
There's a crew ranking system and a personal rank
The fourth GTA Online player is fresh off a plane in Los Santos, character creation involves choosing your mum, dad and grandparents and you're given a character. Then players then choose a lifestyle, make choices about the things the character does (partying, couch potato, criminal, athletics nut).
Starting skills are based on the chosen lifestyles, but can be upgraded, as can the look of the character
Players riding shotgun in cars can also control radio station, set waypoints, use a cinematic camera, or attack others
Holding the select button (on a PS3) pulls up a menu where outfits and gestures can be changed
Phone camera's can be used to take a selfie
During a liquor store robbery the player can shout at the cashier to hurry up through a mic and the character will respond
Escaping cops involves keeping yourself out of the police's vision cone
After each GTA Online mission cash rewards and Reputation Points are awarded. The crew leader decides who keeps the loot.
A leader can choose to hog the spoils but, obviously, other players might not take that very well
Invites are received through the character's phone and accepting seamlessly transports the player to the activity
Players can customise the way a vehicle handles at shops found around the city
In missions involving bigger teams a lobby window opens up. From this the roles such as sniper, look-out and transporter can be assigned. The crew leader can tweak settings such as time of day, weather, difficulty and how many lives they have to complete the mission.
Everyone is given priorities suited to their role when missions begin
When you have enough cash to purchase a "high end residency" you gain the ability to set up heists like the ones in the solo campaign.
These missions involve multiple phases, including a set-up phase. In the mission shown prep involved buying guns from Ammu-Nation and procuring a helicopter. The tasks can be split between players.
Passive mode can be activated if you want to enjoy Online without being troubled by other players, this is automatically deactivated when you fire your gun however.
Players can kill you and take your cash, so you are encouraged to put money in the bank and use ATMs.
Purchases can still be made using the money even if it's in the bank
If you are robbed, you can put a bounty on a players head for revenge
Each house you pruchase has space for storing cars. Modest appartments have space for two, but high-end homes can store ten.
Garage areas can be treated like showrooms. You can walk around and admire your cars and hire a mechanic to keep them in good condition. You can also insure them to avoid big payouts should you damage them badly.
You can invite friends to your home and drink, call strippers, watch Rockstar's custom created TV shows (or your friends in high-speed chases).
Missions are controlled through Rockstar's Social Club, which means the developer tweak them regularly.