GTA Online economy designed "for the vast majority of players who will not buy extra cash"

The in-game economy of Grand Theft Auto Online has been designed for those who won’t pay out on the included microtransactions.

That’s according to Rockstar, which has moved to reassure players who were perturbed by yesterday’s news that users will be able to buy in-game currency using real-life cash.

You can either quickly accumulate cash through profitable activities like knocking over armoured cars, winning street races, doing stick-ups or a host of other cash-making endeavours – or if you’re the completely instant gratification type, you can choose to buy denominations of GTA$. You will have the option to purchase GTA$ through the in-game Store,” a statement explained.

The game and its economy have been designed and balanced for the vast majority of players who will not buy extra cash. There is no in-game paywall and nothing that should disrupt the balance of the game.

You don’t have to spend real money to attain the cars, guns, clothes, flash and style of a high-roller in Los Santos, but can if you wish to get them a little quicker.

The economy is balanced differently from the single player economy, and cash earned in one cannot be taken over to the other. Most players will earn cash much faster Online than in Story Mode.”

Grand Theft Auto Online will be released as a free download for owners of GTA V on Tuesday October 1st.