Rockstar backs nopixel V, closed beta starts September 8

Rockstar Games announced today on its Newswire that it is officially supporting nopixel, and that a closed beta of nopixel V opens on September 8, one week from now. The beta is invite-only, and invited players get in through the Rockstar Games Launcher.

Rockstar calls the server "the Next Evolution of the GTAV Roleplay Community". In its post, the company credits nopixel with pushing GTA Roleplay forward through character immersion, changes to the GTA V map and a community of dedicated storytellers.

According to Rockstar, nopixel V brings:

• a reworked character customization system
• new areas, including the new Pixel Hotel & Casino and a six-block revamp of Cypress Flats
• refreshed visuals
• new ways to make a living on either side of the law
• smarter, more reactive pedestrians

IGN adds a detail long-time players will appreciate. By its account, the Mile High Club tower, which has stood unfinished since GTA V's first reveal trailer in 2011, has finally been completed exclusively for nopixel and now serves as the hotel and casino. Fifteen years is a long build, even by Los Santos standards. IGN also points out that Rockstar has acquired the team behind the FiveM modding platform, and that no third-party tools are needed here because the server runs through Rockstar's own launcher.

The trailer is up on nopixel's YouTube channel:

From September 8, the community can also be followed on livestreaming platforms, where Rockstar says some familiar faces are bringing back fan-favorite characters. Watching GTA Roleplay streamers play nopixel V on Twitch between September 8 and September 30 earns Twitch Drops for GTA Online: up to GTA$1,500,000 and the Burger Shot Tracksuit.

Not everyone is pleased. Insider Gaming reports that many fans criticized the announcement because Rockstar has still said nothing about multiplayer for GTA VI, although the nopixel V trailer still drew hundreds of thousands of views within a few hours. PC Gamer's read is that GTA roleplay stays in GTA 5 for now. IGN notes that Rockstar has not commented on the next version of GTA Online for GTA VI, and whether nopixel will get a GTA VI RP server is IGN's open question, not something Rockstar has addressed.

The closed beta begins on September 8. Rockstar says more news will follow on future updates, including a new in-game overlay for PC, upcoming events and wider access to nopixel V.