At The Drive, we don’t usually monitor Grand Theft Auto Online’s every enhancement. However, the newest update that launched on Wednesday caught our eye as it introduces a new type of vehicle to Los Santos: Self-driving taxis. Managed by a firm called “KnoWay,” they appear as autonomous Karin Vivanite vans—essentially the GTA equivalent of a Toyota Sienna. And, true to GTA style, your task is to commandeer them and create chaos on the streets, impacting the city’s infrastructure and citizens.
We were uncertain about how KnoWay taxis would function within the game. While some anticipated erratic driving and disregard for traffic rules, I tracked one for several minutes, and that didn’t occur. If you get in its way, it will attempt to maneuver around you and carry on with its route, but it won’t accelerate like a vehicle driven by a player might. Additionally, from what I observed, you can’t enter them.
This was somewhat underwhelming. I decided to proceed with the first mission related to KnoWay, which starts when you utilize a payphone. Our criminal accomplice Avi informs us that KnoWay might well be an extension of the FIB (GTA’s version of the FBI) due to the extensive surveillance they perform, but no one cares to monitor payphones anymore, making them genuinely secure.
The mission kicks off with driving to KnoWay’s base, where your first assignment is to eliminate all the guards in the building. Thankfully, this isn’t too difficult if you’re solo and playing on easy mode, like I was. After you accomplish that, you take control of one of KnoWay’s test pods, enabling you to remotely steer one of the company’s cabs. That’s when the real excitement starts.
In this mission, the goal is to engage in actions that would diminish the stock price of the company, so you’re assigned tasks such as toppling 10 traffic signals, bumping into five pedestrians, and leaping 30 feet into the air. Once you have completed those, you must destroy every KnoWay advertisement you spot and incapacitate a few of the company’s other vehicles by crashing into them on the roads. And when that’s done, naturally, you have to eliminate yourself. I opted to drive into the ocean, which was a bizarre choice.
Throughout the mission, Avi is in your ear, providing encouragement. After I submerged the van I had been maneuvering, I had to explode every vehicle in the depot before leaving the area and eluding the police, which is, of course, always the most frustrating part of these operations. I then made my way to Avi’s vehicle to grab some cash from the trunk.
That wraps up the first mission, and in true GTA Online style, the instant I returned to the open world, my character abruptly exploded and perished, just like every other player in my session. They seriously need to address these modders, but given it’s been 12 years now, perhaps that’s more of a GTA VI concern.
Causing chaos with a “driverless” taxi was quite entertaining, but I wished Rockstar had embedded some quirky behavior into the KnoWay vehicles on the streets. Maybe they could have allowed players to break into them, resulting in a wanted level that couldn’t be reduced until leaving the vehicle, due to the authorities being aware of KnoWay’s fleet location at all times. Perhaps there are additional features that set these vans apart from regular traffic, but after my admittedly brief gameplay, I have yet to discover them.
Have you experienced the latest GTA Online update yet? Thoughts? Reach out to me at [email protected]
**GTA Update Unveils Mission to commandeer Autonomous Taxis for Market Manipulation**
In the recent update for Grand Theft Auto Online, players are introduced to an exhilarating new mission that merges the fast-paced world of crime with the complexities of stock market manipulation. The mission, titled “Cabbie Con,” challenges players to commandeer autonomous taxis in Los Santos to carry out a daring plan aimed at affecting the stock market.
### Overview of the Mission
The “Cabbie Con” mission commences with players receiving a tip from a mysterious source who divulges that a fleet of autonomous taxis is being utilized by a tech corporation to collect data on consumer behavior. The source suggests that by commandeering these taxis, players can create turmoil that will result in a decline in the company’s stock price, enabling shrewd investors to acquire shares at a lower cost before the market normalizes.
### Gameplay Mechanics
Players must maneuver through various obstacles to successfully hijack the taxis. The mission incorporates stealth elements, necessitating players to avoid detection by security systems and rival gangs. Once a taxi is seized, players can opt to either drive it to a specified location or use it to generate distractions around the city.
This mission also unveils new gameplay dynamics, including the capability to alter the taxi’s route and destination, which can lead to unforeseen encounters and additional side tasks. Players may engage with NPCs, loot valuable items, or even enlist allies to aid in their heist.
### Stock Market Dynamics
One of the most innovative features of the “Cabbie Con” mission is its linkage to the in-game stock market. Players’ actions during the mission can produce real-time impacts on stock prices. Successfully inducing chaos with the self-driving taxis can cause a temporary decrease in the targeted company’s stock, allowing players to invest in shares and gain profits once the market rebounds.
This aspect adds a layer of strategy to the mission, as players must not only concentrate on the heist but also consider the timing of their investments. The dynamic stock market system urges players to think critically about their actions and the potential repercussions in the game’s economy.
### New Rewards and Customization Options
Completing the “Cabbie Con” mission unlocks various rewards, such as new vehicles, clothing items, and exclusive stock market insights that can assist players in future missions. Furthermore, players can personalize their autonomous taxis with distinctive paint designs and performance enhancements, enabling a custom approach to their hijacking endeavors.
### Community Reactions
The launch of the “Cabbie Con” mission has sparked enthusiasm within the GTA Online community. Players appreciate the combination of traditional heist elements with innovative gameplay mechanics that challenge their strategic thinking. The mission’s distinctive premise has ignited discussions regarding the impact of technology in the underworld, making it a relevant addition to the game.
### Conclusion
The “Cabbie Con” mission in the latest GTA Online update delivers players a fresh and captivating experience that merges heist gameplay with stock market manipulation. As players tackle the challenges of commandeering self-driving taxis, they are also presented with opportunities to engage with the in-game economy in novel and thrilling manners. This update is sure to keep players excited as they explore the constantly changing landscape of Los Santos.
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