rockstar really nerfed every decent money maker in gta online now huh

Logged in after a few weeks off and it's like they went through the whole game with a nerf bat. Cayo payouts are down again, the new heist setups cost a fortune, and even the old contact missions feel like they're paying out pocket change. I get that they want people to buy shark cards but this is getting ridiculous.

Feels like they're trying to push everyone toward the Kortz Center heist but that thing's a grind just to break even. And the cooldowns on everything... man. I used to be able to hop between a few different activities and make decent cash in an evening. Now it's like they want you to pick one thing and suffer through it.

I know GTA 6 is coming and they probably want to reset the economy or whatever, but killing the fun in Online isn't the way to do it. If anything it makes me less excited to jump into the next one. Like, is this what we're in for? Everything's a grind unless you open your wallet?

At least the new heist has some cool set pieces. But I'm not grinding it for weeks just to afford a car that'll be obsolete when Leonida drops.

Source: GamesRadar+ · Curated content.

I don't mind a grind if the mission design justifies it, but nerfing legacy content just forces players onto the newest treadmill. Three Leaf Clover in IV gave you a massive payout after one strong heist. The old campaigns actually respected your time.

forces players onto the newest treadmill

Exactly. Slashed payouts kill loadout experimentation. I want to plan exit routes and study pursuit patterns, not grind one scripted sequence because it's the only profitable path. That loop destroys replayability.