We’ve all come to love the Grand Theft Auto series over the years. Cheats have played a big part in that. If you’ve noticed, out of all the official comments from Rockstar leading up to September 17th, one word has not be spoken of. That word is “cheats”.

With the effort and plans with GTA Online is it possible that Rockstar has decided to remove cheats from GTA V? To me that would be nothing short of shameful. That said, cheats helped provide hours and hours of extra gameplay from previous games. It’s entirely possible that Rockstar sees the Online aspect of the new game and wants to see that online aspect of the game to be full utilized and realized. One way to do that would be to stunt the cheats available in GTA 5. This is part of why I’m feeling somewhat anxious about it.

The game is massive and no doubt there will be many glitchy type experiences to see and try out. That doesn’t really qualify as a “cheat”. With the possibility of in-game purchases, perhaps cheats are “old school” thinking nowadays. I mean if you want some cool and crazy features, perhaps you’re going to end up buying those things in-game. After all, look at the Special Edition and Collector’s Editions of GTA V. Those offer “in-game” exclusives and the Collector’s Edition even regenerates your special abilities by 25% faster than the low lifes who bought the standard edition of the game.

I’m just nervous due to the lack of any statement from Rockstar either mentioning cheats or even hinting at cheats in the game. Are you concerned yet?

The excitement continues! Some curious warehouse worker has taken a peek at a recent shipment and what do they see? Yep, a shipment of Grand Theft Auto V. Imagine after all these years we’re just weeks away now! W00t!

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More exciting official details released by Rockstar today. We are now learning about “crew hierarchy”. There is no doubt we will all be feeling like gangsters after playing GTA V! Check the image below which will help you better understand how crews work and what it means. It’s like an organization structure as it were.

If you’re not familiar the Rockstar Games Social Club, we suggest you go here first. They are promising that you can boost your reputation by playing with a crew in GTA Online. There will obviously be lots of incentive to get involved with the Social Club Crews. There is an all new hierarchies system. Crew leaders have the power to assign special rank to any member of the crew. Here is a brief guide on what to expect:

• Commissioners:  The Crew’s most trusted member(s)
• Lieutenants: Made members with specific privileges to keep the Crew in check and hand out promotions or demotions amongst sub-ordinate ranks
• Muscle: The rank-and-file mob of Crew members who are happy to play their position of causing some havoc Online, doing their Crew’s emblem justice and fighting for its good name

I must confess the whole thing sounds a bit confusing. I suggest reading the write-up that Rockstar has released here.

Rolling Stone magazine has a nice interview with Ivan Pavlovich who is Rockstar’s soundtrack supervisor. A staple of the Grand Theft Auto series is in the music and the soundtracks. The next game in the series looks to maintain the same high standard as the games that came before it. Here are some of the highlights from the interview:

• 15 radio stations
• two talk radio stations
• 240 licensed songs
• 20 movies worth of score
• largest soundtrack that Rockstar has ever done
• score plays during missions and the open world gameplay, and during online play

See the full interview on RollingStone.com.

How about a good bonus to entice you to buy GTA 5? Yeah, who needs incentive. The fact is right now, if you’re in the USA, you can pre order the game from Microsoft Store and get 1,600 MS Points, which is about $20 in real cash. Don’t worry, the coupon code will be valid even with the switch from MS Points to real currency on the Xbox 360. The price is $59 for the game at the Microsoft Store with free shipping and free returns.

I’m sure if you’re here, you’re buying the new game. The real question now is whether you want to buy the standard edition or the “special” or “collector’s edition” of the game. Ah yes, you want to know is it worth it. Well Rockstar just released some new juicy details which might sway you. Here is a recap of what you get in the collector’s edition:

• Additional Weapons – .50 Caliber Pistol, Bullpup Shotgun, and the Hammer (melee weapon)
• Bonus Outfits, Tattoos and More
• 20% discount on tattoos
• special items either in personal wardrobes or from stores
• Each character will receive 1 outfit each, one article of clothing (shirt, hoodie and jacket) each, a special haircut, facial hair look and tattoo.
• in both the Special and Collector’s Editions, the Special Ability bar will generate 25% faster.
• Stunt Plane Trials
• Unique Vehicles and Garage Property (Collector’s Edition only) – The Collector’s Edition also features an exclusive garage to store custom vehicles, that comes stocked with the CarbonRS sports bike and the Hotknife – an open frame 1930’s style hotrod. In Grand Theft Auto Online your garage and the high-end Khamelion electric car, which is specific to GTA Online, are both purchased through in-game websites accessed through your Online character’s cell phone.