The Introduction consists of several missions that serve to give a new player instructions for playing GTA Online. It establishes the player character in Los Santos and starts their first two contact mission strands with Lamar Davis and Gerald and introduces their third mission-giver, Simeon Yetarian.
The Introduction is not available in the Expanded and Enhanced version of the game, being replaced with the Career Builder. However it remains in the Enhanced version of the game although players can elect to skip it after creating their character. It is still considered canon to the storyline.
The entire Introduction does not need to be completed in one session, but players will not be able to join friend or crew sessions until the tutorial sequence is completed. During the Introduction, the Spawn Location of the player can only be set to Random or Last Location and if the player leaves the session and re-joins, that is where they would spawn. A "Hotel"[1] location was also available previously, which would result in players spawning outside a random hotel in the city if they re-started a session during the tutorial. This remained available until property ownership was unlocked at Rank 5.
Throughout the mission sequence, players will receive on screen instructions covering not only mission-specific objectives, but wider general gameplay information.
Mission[]
Preparations[]
Before starting the introduction to GTA Online, the player has to create their own character for the game. The player can choose the character's gender, appearance (via choosing the character's heritage), (skills) and clothes, or they can have the game randomly create a character.
In GTA Online, you can carry out Jobs with, or compete against, players around the world.
Take part in Jobs, including Races, with your friends, Crew members or others and check your position in the global leaderboards In-game or on the Rockstar Social Club.
You can challenge others with Jobs you have created yourself or bet on players to win and earn cash.
You can store your own collection of cars and motorcycles in Garages that you can purchase around the Map.
Challenge others to Tennis, Golf and many other Activities.
As you play, you will gain Reputation Points (RP). Performing Jobs and taking out enemies will increase your RP.
As your RP increases, your Rank will increase. This will unlock new weapons, equipment and abilities.
Your rank is shown at the top of the screen. You can press to display your Rank.
Cash is the key to success in GTA Online. Buy Apartments, vehicles and entertain yourself and others with various activities. you can earn cash by performing Jobs or purchase GTA Dollars from the Store within Social Club.
After an opening cutscene showing the sights and activities of San Andreas, with a series of onscreen instructional messages, the player character is seen looking out the window of a plane, with other player characters seated along with them.
The player arrives at Los Santos International Airport and Lamar Davis pulls up in his Emperor to pick them up. He reveals they are friends with him on Lifeinvader. Lamar's dialogue will vary based on the chosen gender of the player character. If the player is male, Lamar will act like the player is his friend and tell him he's shorter than he looked on Lifeinvader. If the player is female, Lamar will hold a flower and flirt with the player, albeit being rejected.
The two enter Lamar's Emperor, and the player is given an untraceable pistol by Lamar.
Lamar drives the player through the city towards Vinewood, explaining to them about Los Santos and some of the people the player can interact with, such as Hao, G and The Families, and Simeon Yetarian.
The two head to the race meeting point on Eclipse Boulevard, where they take part in a race with up to six other players starting at the same time able to join in the race lobby. The player selects a sedan to race with and will retain the vehicle at the end of the race.
The player is Rank 1. Lamar's Rank is shown to be 99.
After the race, win or lose, the player should be at Rank 2.
Lamar explaining they will need to get the player a car to race in.
Waiting for other players to join.
Random player joins the session.
Player chooses a sedan.
Lamar the opponent "Pro Racer".
Lamar at the start line.
Race starts, Lamar displays his confidence.
Player overtakes Rank 99 Lamar.
And the finish line appears.
Player wins.
Meeting Gerald[]
The second mission serves primarily as a PvE mission and combat tutorial (and co-op play when more than one player is available).
You will gain 20% more RP for completing Jobs as part of a team. You will also get an additional 10% if you complete a Job with a Crew member.
You can use your phone to call other players in GTA Online and in Grand Theft Auto V.
You can join a Crew at wwww.rockstargames.com/socialclub. Select your Crew from the Pause Menu.
“My boy Gerald, G, he looking for somebody low key right now. And to be one thousand with you, I'm thinking you. Look, it's a big exchange of merchandise going down. The Vagos and the Ball Eaters have squashed their little, uhh... cultural differences, or what the fuck ever. Anyway, why don't you slide down there and see if you can shake up the freemarket economy a little bit and... get that cheese? Hey, I'ma text you the boy G address. Don't even trip, he straight.”
— Lamar explaining the Job.
After the race, the player spawns in a parking lot at the finish line of the race on Clinton Avenue with their chosen sedan (and any other players that were in the same race), and is told by Lamar to get drugs from an exchange between the Los Santos Vagos and the Ballas for Lamar's friend, Gerald.
At this point, the player is in a unique semi-Free Mode session, where other players not participating in the mission are present but hidden. The player can see any text chat occurring in the session but cannot see the player list. The player can quit this session and start a new non-public session at this point, but will lose their starting sedan from the race.
The player is introduced to Gerald by Lamar, and hands over the drugs. Gerald awards the player with $500 and tells the player to bring him "anything else interesting" if the player finds any. The mission concludes and the player is awarded RP.
The new player should now be at Rank 3.
If you are a "Good Sport" you will receive periodic rewards.
“...what you need to do is get you some motherfucking gear. 'Cause you bummy as fuck. You can't be walking around with me looking like that. You need to better represent-ate yourself.”
— Lamar to the player at the conclusion of the mission.
After meeting Gerald, Lamar tells the player to buy some new clothes. Clothing stores, Tattoo Parlors, Barbers and the Mask shop are all unlocked and marked on the map.
Stores are now available and are marked on the Map. Barber Clothes Tattoo Masks
To see the location of Stores, press twice to enlarge the Radar, or look at the Map in the Pause Menu.
Gamepad Driveby Control Type can be altered in the Gamepad section of the Settings Menu. The Aim + Fire option allows you to aim and shoot independently.
The player then spawns fully into the normal Free Mode session with all players visible, but the tutorial is incomplete.
Lamar briefing a solo player.
Briefing multiple players from the previous race.
Go to the deal location.
The drugs marked on the map.
The dealer making a run for it.
Get the dropped drugs.
Deliver them to Gerald's Apartment.
Lamar makes the introductions.
Gerald.
Mission summary (multiple players, equal RP).
Player spawns into a real Free Mode session.
Hold up[]
The third Job serves as a Job Invite and Wanted Level tutorial.
Any cash you earn will be added to your personal cash amount shown at the top right of the screen. Some of the cash you hold will be dropped when you die and other players can then steal it.
You can bank cash to keep it safe. You can use ATM machines to deposit cash and see your account balance.
You can swap between glasses, hats and masks that you own within the Interaction Menu. Hold to activate the menu, then select "Style".
Perform your Quickplay Action by pressing and holding and . Change your selected Quickplay Action in the Interaction Menu or Pause Menu options.
Information on GTA Online updates can be accessed by highlighting a Contact or Series blip on the Pause Menu Map.
“Hey hey, it's your boy LD... if you need to get some cheese real quick, fuck with me. We got licks all over town just waiting to get hit. Just walk in with the blam blam and point it at the fool behind the counter. He gonna break bread. And they insured, don't nobody gove a fuck no way. It's all good. I been peepin' this one spot they been makin' a gang of bread. You down with that shit? One of the homies' gonna meet you at the store to help you knock that motherfucker over.”
— Lamar's phone call
After buying any new clothing item, Lamar calls and tells the player about stores that can be robbed for easy cash.
You will be invited onto Jobs by Contacts and other players via your phone.
Take out your phone, select the job list and accept the 'Hold Up' invite from Lamar.
You've accepted a Job from Lamar.
Stores that can be held up are marked on the Radar with
Threaten the store clerk with a weapon to steal from the cash register.
Shout through your headset to make the store clerk fill the bag with cash faster.
Wait for the store clerk to empty the register to get the full amount of cash.
Your Wanted Level is shown by the number of stars on screen, one or more stars and the Cops will be alerted.
The Radar flashes red and blue when the Cops can see you.
When out of sight of the Cops, the Wanted Stars will flash and cones will appear on the Radar to show the area they are searching.
To lose a Wanted Level, stay out of the cones until the Cops call off the search. Hide in alley or in the dark to stay out of their sight.
You can share the cash from your last Job via the Cash section of the Interaction Menu. Hold to bring up the menu. (Note: Not available on PC)
The player is given a job invite from Lamar to hold up a store, stealing its cash and escaping the police. While this mission arrives in the form of a mission-lobby invite on the mobile phone, it occurs seamlessly in the Free Mode session.
Snacks can be purchased from Stores located around Los Santos which replenish your health when used. They are stored in your Inventory located in the Interaction Menu, access it by holding . Snacks can also be collected from dead enemies for an instant health boost.
Players are shown on the Radar by . If they are your friend it will have a blue outline. If they are in your Crew it will be a Crew colored outline. You can go to the Pause Map and find the location of other players.
Go to a clothes store.
Purchase clothing.
Lamar calls.
"Hold Up" invite from Lamar.
Go to the specific store.
Hold up the store.
Intimidation.
Lose the Wanted Level.
Los Santos Customs[]
The fourth part contains no mission and serves as a Personal Vehicles & customization tutorial.
“Hello - my friend Lamar told me to call you - he said you were something of a big shot, only with a very inadequate sense of style... Maybe you should improve yourself with a fine car. I've got a friend at Los Santos Customs who can help you out... for sure.”
— Simeon's unsolicited phone call.
Steal a vehicle to use as your own. This vehicle will be available to you in future Online sessions once you have fitted a 'Tracker' in Los Santos Customs.
After losing the cops, the player receives a phone call from Simeon Yetarian, who tells the player to take a vehicle to Los Santos Customs. If the player still has their sedan from the race, it can be converted to their personal vehicle, otherwise the player will need to steal another vehicle valued at under $100,000 to use. If the vehicle is damaged, it will be repaired for free this time only.
Los Santos Customs is shown by
Use the Interaction Menu to set a quick GPS to a location. Hold to bring up the Interaction Menu.
If the Cops spot you in a stolen vehicle, you will get a Wanted Level.
The player is prompted to respray and buy a tracker and insurance, for free thanks to Simeon's ties. Most other custom options are still locked behind Rank requirements, but most of those that are unlocked are also able to be performed for free.
Fit a Tracker to your vehicle and a marker will be added to the map whenever you exit your vehicle.
You can purchase Insurance for vehicles. If the insured vehicle is totalled you can make a claim for a new vehicle.
You can download the iFruit app to your personal smartphone device or tablet to modify your vehicle when offline and create customized license plates. Visit www.rockstargames.com/V/downloads for details.
Purchase a Tracker and Insurance. They can be found under 'Loss/Theft Prevention'. They will be free for the first visit.
You can use your custom vehicles in Races. The more you upgrade your vehicle, the better your chances of winning.
You can fit vehicles with a Tracker which allows you to locate your vehicle. Tracked vehicles are shown by the icon.
Now that you have bought Insurance for your vehicle you can call Mors Mutual Insurance to make a claim if your insured vehicle is lost or stolen.
Your Personal Vehicle is shown on the Radar with
You can challenge another player to an 'Impromptu Race' using the Interaction Menu.
Simeon calls.
Go to Los Santos Customs.
Fit the required Tracker and buy Insurance.
And perform any other desired customization, for free if available.
Final proving ground[]
The final mission serves as a PvP combat tutorial.
“I need to see how your gun skills are before I can have you doing jobs for me. Head over to Cypress Flats and prove your worth.”
— Gerald's text message.
Try using Impromptu Race from the Interaction Menu to challenge a player to be the first over to Cypress Flats.
In 'Deathmatch' you compete in a team or individually against opponents. Whoever has the most kills is the winner.
In 'Last Team Standing' you compete in a Deathmatch against another team, but you will only have one life.
Use your own weapons and ammo in Jobs. You can purchase ammo on the Betting Screen.
New Job types will open up as you progress through Grand Theft Auto Online.
If you leave Jobs before they are complete or abuse other players you will be considered a Bad Sport. If you stay a Bad Sport for too long you will only be able to play with other Bad Sports. Be nice.
After leaving Los Santos Customs, Gerald sends a text to the player asking them to go to Cypress Flats to prove their gun skills in a Last Team Standing.
In order to progress in the tutorial the player must visit the job corona on Orchardville Avenue, but they do not need to complete the job to complete the Introduction. If the job is completed, the new character should finish the tutorial at Rank 4, otherwise they could still be Rank 3.
Gerald's text.
The Trigger corona in Cypress Flats.
Tutorial complete and Free Mode unlocked.
Rewards[]
You are now on your own to trigger or join Jobs. You can start Jobs in various ways - walk into the blue Triggers, select from 'Online - Jobs' in the Pause menu, select 'Quick Join' on your phone, or press when hovering over a Job in the Pause Menu Map.
When entering a Trigger, you can chose to Join a Job or Host a Job. 'Join' will look for other Jobs of the same type to join, and 'Host' will set up a new Job for others to join.
Playlists are lists of Jobs that trigger one after another with the winner being the player with the highest score once all Jobs have been played. Start a Playlist from the 'Online' menu.
You will earn Job Points for each Job you complete. Press to see how many points you have earned in this session. Job Points are used to determine winners in Playlists.
Missions are available. They are marked with on the Map.
Your Crew can set Challenges for other players using the 'Set Challenge' option when setting up a Playlist in the Online Pause menu.
Select 'Join Friends' from the Online Pause Menu to join a session containing one or more of your friends.
Attacking other people and causing damage to property will cause your Mental State to increase. You will gain RP if you kill a player who is 'Unstable' or higher. Players with a high mental State level are shown on the Radar by
Off the Plane
Completing the Introduction awards the player with the achievement/trophy "Off the Plane", which is a reference to the achievement/trophy "Off The Boat", unlocked after completing the first mission in Grand Theft Auto IV.
During the conversation with the player, Lamar Davis hints[2] at having an ongoing infatuation with Franklin Clinton's aunt Denise, which is also mentioned in GTA V.
to display your Rank.
Barber
Clothes
Tattoo
Masks
to activate the menu, then select "Style".
and 
. Change your selected Quickplay Action in the Interaction Menu or Pause Menu options.
. If they are your friend it will have a blue outline. If they are in your Crew it will be a Crew colored outline. You can go to the Pause Map and find the location of other players.
icon.
when hovering over a Job in the Pause Menu Map.
on the Map.
