GTA Online’s simplest feature needs to be adopted by other titles

Opinion: player customization is king

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Last night, I decided to take my first tentative steps into the unknown yet extremely popular world ofGTA Online. And while it wasn’t exactly the most seamless experience I’ve ever had – having to create a Rockstar Social Club account just to make a crew is really obnoxious – I can already see why so many players are hooked.

I took part in a ridiculous stunt race that you’d expect to find inMario Kart 8 Deluxe, not aGrand Theft Autogame, cruised around in my armored hot hatchback while attacking other players, and even sold some questionably sourced jewelry to the highest bidder.

But as fun as that was, it’s perhaps GTA Online’s simplest feature that really drew me in: the ability to name your organization.

Welcome to my world

To my surprise, when I was asked to name my new evil empire in GTA Online, it was actually reflectedin-game. Not just on menu screens, but as an actual in-game asset for the world to see. Whenever I enter my swanky high-rise office, sitting above my dutiful receptionist is my organization’s name: Shiba Inc. Why Shiba Inc.? Well, my real life is run by a Japanese Shiba Inu, so it made sense.

Now, I don’t really know why, but this excruciatingly simple bit of game design evoked a strange sense of pride in me. There’s just something undeniably cool about seeing something you’ve personally named appear in a video game, like when you create your own custom license plate inForza Horizon 5. It also helped make my new business feel like it was inherently mine, despite being one of the millions created during GTA Online’s lifespan.

And that, fundamentally, draws you into what GTA Online perhaps does differently to other titles: it gives you a power fantasy of sorts and a real feeling of agency. With multiple career paths on offer and almost a limitless amount of content to enjoy thanks to years of updates and add-ons, I’m excited to see where Shiba Inc. will end up in the pecking order of other GTA Online organizations.

Naming your organization in GTA Online

You’ll be guided on how to name your organization in GTA Online when you first enter your base, but if you’re not happy with the original name you chose, here’s how to change it.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Enter a GTA Online lobby and bring out your smartphone by pressing up on the D-Pad. Navigate to the Dynasty8 website, and choose your organization. From here, select renovate and you’ll be able to change your organization’s name. You’ll have to have $250,000 to make the change, so try to get it right this time.

Playing the name game

Being able to name your organization in GTA Online is a stark reminder that this level of customization is criminally underutilized in other video games. I’ve longed for Rare to add an option that lets you name your ship inSea of Thieves, for example, especially as there’s a bare placard that sits above the captain’s quarters; prime real estate to proudly display my future ship’s name.

It’s easy to see why customization is often limited in video games, however. People have a tendency to write profanities or draw vulgar images at every given opportunity, because hey, why not. But GTA Online is proof that sometimes it’s the little, personal touches that can really make a difference to a player’s enjoyment of a game.

Now, it’s time to put Shiba Inc. on the map.

GTA 5 on PS5 and Xbox Series Xis out now, and I’ve been so impressed by the game’s updated visuals that I think it’sactually worth buying again.

Adam was formerly TRG’s Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.

The PS5 Pro’s PSSR upscaling gives multiple games a huge visual upgrade – can it compete with Nvidia’s DLSS 3 successor?

I’m a Nintendo Switch expert, here are the best early Black Friday deals right now

Smeg Combi Steam Oven review: a multi-functional countertop oven that looks stunning and cooks well