Rockstar has finally unveiled the next major GTA Online DLC, as well as its release date — which is thankfully almost here. Sometime after the slow trickle of content earlier this year (finally) ended, Rockstar posted a description of two upcoming major DLC packs for the game.
One of them was the recently released Further Adventures in Finance and Felony, which built upon the groundwork laid by Executives and Other Criminals late last year. Players could become powerful CEOs running a black market organisation, buying and selling contraband and getting rich in the process.
Finance and Felony added enough gameplay content to keep the community satisfied for a good long time, though it had its issues. Some players jumped head first into the largest investments, draining their bank accounts thinking they would turn a profit within hours. Griefers were causing damage worth millions in-game.
However, amid the issues which have since been solved thanks to a few guides, there was plenty of good. CEO work has offered an alternative to Heists for most effective money-making activity. The new gameplay has encouraged players to take law-enforcement into their own hands. Hackers have been cleared out from PC.
Even so, the GTA Online community being what it is, was already clamoring for Rockstar to release the next big thing. First assumed to be called "Stunt Ready", the name of the big Content Creator overhaul was eventually confirmed as Cunning Stunts. The DLC promised to bring a motherload of new props to the Creator, add a ton of vehicles designed specifically with stunting in mind and, most importantly, to re-enable prop stacking (woo!).
Information beyond this was scarce all this time — no leaks occurred beyond the three cars that have already been released — so players were scratching their heads as to what is going on. Many assumed that due to the red-white-blue and starred tubes seen on the only promo image available at the time that the DLC will be out in time for Independence Day.
Instead, GTA Online celebrated the 4th of July by re-releasing the content of the Independence Day Special, making items such as the Musket, the Liberator monster truck, the Sovereign bike and many other customization items available for purchase once more.
Now, finally, the curtain has been pulled and the Cunning Stunts update has been officially revealed.
Be daring, defy gravity and punch your fears straight in the mouth with Cunning Stunts, a visually surreal and over-the-top evolution to racing in GTA Online, coming Tuesday, July 12th.
Based on the images, this DLC is what happens when GTA Online takes a look at those insane "parkour" race map videos, goes like "hey, that's cool" and tries to replicate the experience while getting drunk on American beer.
A massive library of new props allow creative players to build massive, intricate race-tracks in the skies of Los Santos, filled with all kinds of twists, turns and loops. Wall-rides are the new norm, ramps are littered all over the place and vehicles of all manners will be jumping left and right.
The DLC will add a number of stock race tracks pre-built by Rockstar to allow players to instantly try out the new content and to put the new rides through their paces, but obviously the main draw here is the chance to put together all new race courses with the overhauled GTA Online Content Creator. Stunt enthusiasts will have more specialized tools and building blocks to work with when building challenging new courses.
Of course, you're going to need something with which to traverse said new tracks — worry not, Rockstar has all the bases covered. The new DLC will add a ton of new vehicles, including supercars, sports cars and bikes. While none of these have been named or described, nor do we know exactly how many new cars will be added, Rockstar fans have already analysed the crap out of the trailer and came up with a preliminary list.
A new race-car with a rally-style going on will be released under the Obey manufacturer, based on the Audi Quattro Group B, featuring heavy use of decals and wheel-guards as distinctive features. There will be a new Lampadati car based on the Lancia Stratos Group 4 with a similar basic style going for it.
There will be a new supercar with an undetermined manufacturer based on the Mazda 787B with some unique front lights and a low spoiler. Another possible super, or maybe sports car will also be released with a more reserved design, based on the McLaren F1. Two more cars barely glimpsed in the trailer are in turn based on the Fiat/Abarth 500 and Lexus LF-A.
There is also seemingly a new variant of the Karin Rebel as well as three new bikes on offer, one of which looks something like a motocross bike and another which is more sturdier looking (I'm no bike expert...). There is currently no info on the prices of these vehicles either. Rockstar hasn't verified whether these vehicles will only be usable in stunt races, or whether other vehicles can also be chosen, but our guesses are "no" and "yes" to those questions.
(Thanks to I_AM_STILL_A_IDIOT for the data [yes that's his username, don't say anything])
The description of the post also promises some appropriate attire for the new theme of the DLC, meaning you can outfit your GTA Online character to look like a real rally driver or professional racer. Seeing as we are getting a massive amount of vehicles in this update, chances are Rockstar will also be focusing on character customization quite a bit.
Since this update is essentially bringing new props and some new functionality to the Content Creator, there isn't any new major game mechanic to take up development resources. As such, we can expect a motherload of character customization options, primarily in the face of clothing, as well as extensive vehicle customization.
A really cool addition to GTA Online would be adding an upgrade shop to the game similar to Benny's Original Motorworks, except it would allow players to modify any vehicle in the game to be more suitable for professional racing and stunting. You could add rollcages, additional lights and all kinds of liveries.
A sponsorship system could also be implemented — the more brand liveries you slap on the vehicle, the less you need to pay in the end, since those companies pay you for the advertisement. A separate racer reputation system could be altered by your performance as a driver. The better your rep, the more publicity you get for companies, hence bigger discounts at the upgrade shop. This could also be further incentive to perform well in races. If you're consistently in first place, companies will pay you for advertising, thus providing bigger payouts after winning a race job.
Of course, this is just wishful thinking at this point, as there is no sign of such a system being implemented. Chances are Cunning Stunts will bring alterations to the way races are managed in the game, but nothing as major.
Cunning Stunts, with all the vehicles, booster rings, insane jumps and races defying physics itself launches next Tuesday, 12th of July, on PC, Xbox One and PS4. Make sure to call in sick for that day *wink-wink*!
Which part of the all new Cunning Stunts GTA Online DLC are you most excited about? Is it the new vehicles, or the updated Content Creator?
