GTA Online users have seen weekly updates that roll out on Thursdays, but it has been months since fans saw the release of the new DLC (downloadable content) update. For those unaware, DLC updates bring numerous additions to the game, including new storylines, events (themes for weekly updates), and content.
The content updates usually include the introduction of new missions, gameplay changes, vehicle/weapon optimizations & additions, brand-new races, and many more. At the same time, weekly updates, a part of the new DLC occasionally, are mainly based on themed events.
Developers released the last DLC-related update, “Los Santos Drug Wars: The Last Dose,” in March 2023. It was an extension of the Los Santos Drug Wars content update, which Rockstar Games rolled out in December 2022.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries DLC: Release Date, New Gameplay, Vehicles, and More
As the summer update is scheduled to launch on June 13, 2023, fans can expect plenty of aerial action with the upcoming content update in Grand Theft Auto: Online.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: New Missions
As per Rockstar Games’ recently published newswire, in an upcoming storyline, players will get to become a part of Los Santos Angels, a squadron recruited by Charlie Reed, an “expert aircraft mechanic and ace pilot.” As a part of Los Santos Angels, players must complete missions, including taking up private work and stealing sensitive data from server farms.
Furthermore, players will also get to drop explosive payloads on specific targets and conduct raids as fighter aircraft pilots. In addition to the mentioned tasks, players will get to use their smuggler skill set and earn more cash with Mammoth Avenger and Hangar-based missions.
Charlie Reed will also assist players in modifying and upgrading the Mammoth Avenger with a new range of weaponry customizations available via Hangar. Moreover, Mammoth Avenger will also have new Operations Terminal upgrades, while the upcoming GTA Online DLC update will allow players to access and store the vehicle without owning a Hangar.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Tactical SMG, Mammoth F-160 Raiju Plane, and other in-game updates
The upcoming GTA Online summer update will also bring new random events, a brand-new Tactical SMG (rumored to be manufactured by Vom Feuer), Mammoth F-160 Raiju Plane, daily time trials, and many more. According to Rockstar Games, the brand-new submachine gun is perfect for firing while driving.
Apart from Mammoth F-160 Raiju Plane, no other name of any new GTA Online vehicle has been unveiled by Rockstar Games, albeit unnamed Pajero, unnamed Off-Road Buggy, unnamed Conada variant, and more have been teased by the developers.
There are multiple other gameplay improvements in Grand Theft Auto Online, which include the following:
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Vehicle updates
- The next update will allow players to claim all destroyed vehicles simultaneously (when calling Mors Mutual Insurance).
- There will be no charge applied by Mors Mutual. for recovering personal vehicles that get destroyed while completing contact missions.
- Garages will have new custom description tags that will assist players in readily locating their favorite cars.
- Eclipse Blvd Garage: Players will now have the ability to access individual floors while requesting vehicles from the said garage.
- New Mammoth F-160 Raiju Plane: Press D-Pad Right to engage Stealth Mode
- VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) mode: Hold L3/LS to switch into and out of the mode when flying all VTOL aircraft, like the new Mammoth F-160 Raiju Plane.
- The Interaction Menu will now have the option to re-request an active Mobile Operations Center, Avenger, or Terrorbyte, which players want to be delivered to their locations.
- The Jobs Menu will now have additional filters for the Race types.
- Developers will move the lesser-used vehicles from in-game websites. The optimization has been made to make the experience simpler and more organized.
- The removed vehicles will be available via events showrooms, The Lucky Wheel, and other in-universe places.
- While using Taxi Liveries, the game will allow players to use Willard Eudora and Albany Classique Broadway for Taxi Work.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Gameplay updates
- Developers will add an alternate sprint control option to the Settings Menu, which players must hold to sprint in the game.
- New Register as a Boss option: Devs will add the new option in the Interaction Menu. It is expected to make starting a Motorcycle Club or an Organization easier and quicker.
- New Buy All option will appear when purchasing Body Armor at Ammu-Nation.
- Developers will remove rank requirements for Body Armor with the new GTA Online: San Andreas Mercenaries update.
- The game will restock the Body Armor after players quickly restart a mission. The Body Armor levels will also remain the same in comparison to the moment players first enter the lobby.
- The game will automatically designate the type of armor corresponding to how much damage the players have taken whenever one equips Body Armor via the Weapon Wheel.
- Players will not receive calls from Tom Connors or English Dave whenever they are parachuting or freefalling.
- Solo players will be able to take Madrazo Dispatch Services, as the “multiple players needed” requirement has been removed.
- GTA Online will now allow players to select a name for their Acid product via the Interaction Menu to attain a selling bonus, which will be 5%.
- Developers will remove the rank requirements for Daily Objectives, allowing every player to participate.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Balancing updates
- The payouts on Buried Stashes, Treasure Chests, and many other collectibles & events have been increased.
- The payouts for Gerald’s Last Play and A Superyacht Life have also been corrected upwards by 25%.
- Developers are rebalancing the weapons on the P-996 Lazer and Mammoth Hydra. However, the rebalancing will only happen for Freemode.
- The Orbital Cannon in GTA Online will not be instantly reset or refunded. Developers have made the move to prevent users from being targeted again and again.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Creator Updates
- After the latest GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries, dozens of new props will be available in all Creators. These new props will include underwater mines, giant License Plate Walls, destructible fences, eCola cans, and many more.
- Developers will add a Snow weather option for Races, Deathmatches, and Survivals.
- Rockstar Games has also promised to bring in Halloween-themed additions later in 2023.
- Availability of a new option to toggle musical score on and off.
- Add a new option to assign Outfits to teams to distinguish them.
- Developers will increase the number of enemy spawn points in Survivals.
- Deathmatches will have new options – Dynamic Teams, Health Drain, “radar blip” options, options for respawn time for item & weapon pickups, and many more.
- Developers will provide the Fixture Removal option in the King of the Hill Creator and Deathmatch Creators.
- Developers will add new props and weather updates to the Creator. These additions will also include snow.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: The Vinewood Car Club for GTA+ members
The GTA+ members on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will witness the new exclusive premium service and location, The Vinewood Car Club. The GTA+ members will get an all-access pass, allowing players to test drive a series of vehicles, order them at their location, use them in Freemode, and purchase them at an exclusive discount of 20% or more. In addition, players can also get a chance to inspect and claim a complimentary GTA+ vehicle inside The Vinewood Car Club.
Multiple other perks, alongside cars showcased in the garage, will be open to claim for GTA+ members from June 13, 2023.
GTA Online San Andreas Mercenaries: Career Progress
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players can access the Career Progress via Main Menu or the Pause Menu. It will display players’ progression through their criminal ranks and allow one to track their criminal activities.
The GTA Online: San Andreas Mercenaries is scheduled to launch on June 13 for all platforms, i.e., PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, but it is already available to preload on PS4 and PS5.