GTA 5 Beginner's Guide: Basics and Features - GTA 5 Guide - IGN (2024)

Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5 or GTA V) is an action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North in 2013. Here you will learn about GTA 5 basic game features.

Need more information? Be sure to check out these pages as well:

• All Walkthrough Sections
• Cheats and Secrets - All controller-based cheats
• Cell Phone Cheats - Enter these cheats with your in-game phone
• PC Cheats - These cheats only work on PC

GTA Online

GTA Online is the online multiplayer option for GTA 5. In GTA Online you can create your own character and play with up to 30 other players in an open-world adventure. Here, players have the freedom to roam the streets of San Andreas while completing missions, special heists, and other events. The goal is to earn money, build up your reputation, and become the leader of your criminal organization.

These helpful links can get you started on your journey in GTA Online:

• Leveling Up (GTA Online) - Contains information about leveling up and ranking
• How to Make Money in GTA Online - Guide on how to make money fast
• Community Tips (GTA Online) - This is a hub for players to share their tips and tricks

Crossplay

Currently, GTA 5 does not offer crossplay across consoles or PC for the single-player game or GTA 5 Online. With the new version of GTA 5 releasing soon for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, crossplay might be a possibility, but Rockstar has not confirmed this.

Cross-Save

At this time, GTA 5 does not have a cross-save feature. This means that if you play on PS4 you will need to start the game over again if you move to Xbox One. There has been no news yet on whether or not cross-save will be available when GTA 5 is released on Xbox Series X|S or PS5.

The GTA V Universe

GTA V is set in the city of Los Santos and Blaine County, in the fictional state of San Andreas. Like previous GTA titles, GTA V has a set story that must be completed, but outside of that, it is completely open-world. There are plenty of vehicles to steal, weapons to buy, and havok to wreak.

For more information about the GTA V Universe, check out these helpful guides:

• Universe
• Weapons
• Vehicles
• Interactive Map

Getting Started - Prologue

Getting started in GTA V is easy. The game starts you off with the tutorial mission, Prologue, which introduces you to the main characters, Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips. The tutorial is very helpful in showing you how to move your characters, access and aim your weapons, interact with items and NPCs, and switch between characters.

Switching Between Characters

While the Prologue mission will show you how to switch between characters, it is important to know that you will be frequently switching between Michael, Trevor, and Franklin Clinton in order to progress through the main story.

How to switch between characters:

• PS5 / PS4 / PS3: Hold "Down" on the D-Pad and use the right analog stick to select the character, release the "Down" arrow.
• Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox 360: Hold "Down" on the D-Pad and use the right analog stick to select the character, release the "Down" arrow.
• PC: Press and hold the Alt key to access the character dial, use the directional arrows to select the character, then release the alt key.

There will be key moments in the game that will tell you when to switch, but if you feel that you are not progressing through the story, or you feel stuck, then you should switch characters.

Taking On Missions and Side Quests

The map is a great resource to see if you have any pending missions on your three characters. Franklin missions will usually have a green "F" or a green "F" with a question mark attached to it. Trevor missions will have an orange "T" or an orange "T" with a question mark and Michael missions will have a light blue "M" or a light blue "M" with a question mark. The map will show both main story missions and also side Strangers and Freaks missions for all characters.

To take on main story missions or heists, all you have to do is set your destination point on the map to the location you see the character's initial. Once you reach this destination, the mission will automatically start with a cutscene.

For Strangers and Freaks side missions, you will usually see an initial with a question mark attached to it. To initiate a Strangers and Freaks mission, go to the location on the map, and the side mission will automatically start. More often than not, you will only be able to access one Strangers and Freaks mission at a time per character. Many of these missions are sequential and can only be accessed if you have completed the mission that preceded it. In some instances, a Stranger and Freaks mission can only be accessed once you have completed a main mission or heist.

Making Money in GTA V

Money is essential for buying property, weapons, armor, and ammunition, outfits, and modifying your cars and making money in GTA V can be challenging when you first start off. Luckily, we have helpful guides that detail how you can earn some money fast.

• How to Make Money in GTA 5
• Stock Market
• Robberies