Rockstar Games has recently released a security-focused update for the popular open-world game Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 5. The update for PC players focuses on the GTA Online experience and addresses recent concerns over hacks and exploits that have left players wary of playing GTA Online.
The update includes new security features to improve the security of network sessions and player-to-player messaging, as well as fixing an issue that could result in a player’s game being modified by a third party. Rockstar has implemented a new data protocol in GTA Online to enhance the security of network sessions.
According to the creator of a popular GTA Online anti-cheat tool, Speyedr, the update has caused changes in the game’s networking behaviour. Still, the latest version of the tool should be available soon.
IMPORTANT: Looks like R* have changed some networking behavior, certainly due to fixing the remote crash exploits, which means that Guardian 3.1.0b5 and below will only work with “Solo Session” now.
R* don’t usually mess with netcode, but this time it makes sense.
— Speyedr (@Speyedr_AU) February 1, 2023
The full patch notes for the GTA 5 Title Update 1.66 were brief, with only a quick overview of the new security features and general stability improvements. With the security update in place, players can now get back to their virtual criminal lives.
While we’re on the topic of Grand Theft Auto, a popular GTA insider has claimed that the leaked content from GTA 6 earlier this year indicates the game is feature complete and set for a 2023 reveal with a 2024 launch. We’re now fast approaching ten years since the launch of GTA 5, so we can only hope he’s right!