epic games gta 5

Of course! Heres a comprehensive breakdown of everything related to Epic Games and GTA 5, covering the famous giveaway and the current situation. The Historic Giveaway (May 2020) The most significant event linking Epic Games and GTA 5 was Epic Games Store's giveaway of Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition in May 2020. What happened: For one week, anyone with an Epic Games account could claim the full game for absolutely free. This was not a trial or a limited-time licenseit was a permanent addition to their Epic Games library. Why Epic did it: This was a massive customer acquisition strategy. It brought millions of new users to the Epic Games Store, many of whom were downloading the launcher for the first time. The impact: It was so popular that it crashed the Epic Games Store servers for days due to unprecedented demand. An estimated over 7 million copies were claimed in the first 24 hours alone, and the final tally was close to 20 million. The Version: They gave away the "Premium Edition," which included the base game and the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (a bundle of in-game money, properties, and vehicles to give new players a boost). If you claimed it then, the game is still in your Epic Games library and you can download and play it forever. How to Play GTA 5 via Epic Games Store Today If you missed the giveaway, heres the current situation: Purchase: You can buy Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition directly from the Epic Games Store. It's regularly discounted during Epic's major sales. Link to Rockstar Games Launcher: When you play GTA V through Epic, you must also have the Rockstar Games Launcher installed. Epic essentially provides the license, but the game boots through and runs on Rockstar's own system. You'll need a Rockstar Social Club account. Cross-Platform Play: Story Mode: This is single-player only. GTA Online: The player pool is shared between Epic and Steam versions. However, it is NOT cross-platform with PlayStation or Xbox. Epic players can play with Steam players and vice-versa. Epic Games Store vs. Steam vs. Rockstar Feature Epic Games Store Steam Rockstar (Direct) : : : : Price Often has deeper discounts + Epic Coupons. Frequent discounts. Less frequent discounts. Launcher Requirement Requires Rockstar Games Launcher to run. Requires Rockstar Games Launcher to run. Uses the Rockstar Games Launcher natively. Platform Features Basic features; earns Epic Rewards points. Robust features (friends, chat, workshops, etc.). Minimal, focused on Rockstar titles. GTA Online Player Pool Shared with Steam & Rockstar (PC ecosystem). Shared with Epic & Rockstar (PC ecosystem). Shared with Epic & Steam (PC ecosystem). Important Considerations No More Free Giveaway: The free promotion was a one-time event and is extremely unlikely to ever be repeated for GTA 5. Your Progress is Tied to Rockstar: All your game progress (Story Mode saves and GTA Online character) is linked to your Rockstar Social Club account, not your Epic account. This means you can potentially access your character from another PC platform if you use the same Social Club account, but this can be tricky. Mods: Modding the single-player game is possible when launched through Epic, but it involves modifying files in the Rockstar-launcher-managed game directory. Using mods in GTA Online is strictly prohibited and will result in a ban. Summary The Legendary Freebie: In May 2020, Epic Games gave away GTA V for free, causing a internet sensation. Current Way to Play: You must now purchase it on the Epic Games Store (it goes on sale often). You Still Need Rockstar: Regardless of where you buy it on PC, the game requires the Rockstar Games Launcher to play. Shared Online World: PC players from Epic, Steam, and Rockstar all play together in GTA Online. If you're looking to buy it now, check the Epic Store during a sale, as their discount combined with their seasonal coupon can often make it the cheapest legitimate option.