The online mode of GTA 5, GTA Online, has been experiencing a surge for years due to roleplay servers operated by players. These extremely popular servers have given the 2013 game new life on Twitch as a sandbox MMO. But now Rockstar and Take-Two are tightening the reins: They are banning NFTs and cryptocurrencies on the roleplay servers.
This is the ban: On November 18, Rockstar issued new rules for roleplay servers. They emphasize that they endorse and support the creativity of people on these servers and their passion. They hope that the servers will continue to thrive for years to come (via rockstar).
However, they are now banning the “commercial exploitation” of the RP servers, which includes bans on
- the sale of loot boxes for real money
- the sale of cryptocurrencies
- generating revenue through advertising deals
- the use of cryptocurrencies or crypto assets (e.g. NFTs)
Furthermore, they are prohibiting servers from misusing Rockstar’s intellectual property or interfering with official servers through roleplay servers.
Rockstar and Take-Two are shutting down servers
Why is this change happening now? The rapper “Lil Durk” has launched a GTA roleplay server called Trenches. Items could be purchased through a website there. Clearly, there was a clear business intention behind it.
As stated by the server on November 20, the server was asked by Rockstar and Take-Two to shut down. The server complied with the request.
Roleplay servers make GTA 5 the second biggest game on Twitch, but not a Wild West
Why are roleplay servers so popular? Roleplay servers in GTA Online are practically sandbox MMOs, where players portray a character they have created. They communicate through proximity chat with other players and interact with them.
Roleplay servers have proven to be a means for Twitch streamers to entertain their regular viewers delightfully: players can showcase their personality, quick wit, and humor. Additionally, valuable synergy effects occur by reaching the viewers of other Twitch streamers.
Thanks to roleplayers on Twitch, GTA has become the second biggest game after League of Legends.
What’s behind it? These roleplay servers in GTA Online are extremely popular worldwide and have turned the 9-year-old GTA 5 into a new hit game on Twitch in recent years. Apparently, Rockstar has no issues with that.
But now they are issuing clear rules to ensure that no money is made on these roleplay servers from things that Rockstar itself does not endorse.
Such drastic “commercial actions” that negatively affect players seem to be clearly prohibited to prevent others from engaging in fraudulent business practices with GTA Online, which could then reflect negatively on the publisher and developer.
Rockstar and Take-Two have been raking in money from GTA Online through the sale of premium currency for nearly 10 years: GTA 5 is considered one of the most commercially successful games of all time.
In any case, in GTA and among influencers, large sums of money are quickly involved, even in Germany:
German Twitch streamer declines “crazy” GTA 5 deal worth 600,000 euros – “I just don’t feel it”
