GTA 5 Cash Cards Discovered, Hint at Future Microtransactions

If you’re currently spending your free time completing the many available missions in Grand Theft Auto 5, you’ve likely noticed how difficult it is to happen upon a large stack of cash. There are dozens of ways to build the bank account, but unless you hit it big on the stock market, accumulating millions of dollars in a short period of time just isn’t likely.

Why is the game set up this way? A Reddit user has discovered a plain XML file after opening the store section in the pause menu that might give a hint. He found four "cash cards," ranging from $100,000 to $1,250,000, that seem to be purchasable with real money. The below description of the cards was also provided.

“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," it reads. "All purchased cash is automatically deposited into your character’s bank account. Spend wisely, cash therapy is fleeting."

The microtransactions seemingly correspond with Grand Theft Auto Online, which won’t be released until Oct. 1. This sprawling, online experience would be the logical time to blend real-world purchases into the game, and while other major franchises like Call of Duty have included this feature into its competitive modes, everything about the concept goes against the normal Rockstar way. The developer has yet to comment on the discovery, so we might have to wait until the full release of GTA Online to get a final answer.