Nearly a decade after its debut, Rockstar Games is introducing a quality of life change to Grand Theft Auto V that frees players from the repetitive taps required to sprint. The update expands both the single player and multiplayer experiences by adding a dedicated option to run, activated simply by holding a button. This enhancement is described in the San Andreas Mercenaries update notes from the developer team, indicating a shift toward more fluid movement in the sprawling open world. Players will now have a straightforward way to accelerate characters without sacrificing the gamepad’s tactile feel or the sense of momentum that fans have come to expect from this world.
In practical terms, the new setting labeled running or sprinting can be toggled within the settings menu, allowing a player to hold a button to sustain a faster pace rather than repeatedly pressing the control. The change respects the original design goal: it preserves the sense that sprinting is an intentional action rather than an automatic state, ensuring that quick bursts still feel earned and dynamic. The adjustment aligns with Rockstar’s long-standing habit of refining input schemes to balance accessibility with the tactile challenge that defines the GTA experience, offering players a smoother yet familiar way to navigate the city streets and remote locations alike. The update is framed as a modular addition, so seasoned players can embrace it or continue with the classic controls according to their preference, with no disruption to existing gameplay systems.
Beyond movement, San Andreas Mercenaries broadens online content by introducing new missions for the online mode, expanding the cooperative and competitive opportunities that have drawn players to the game’s persistent world. In addition to missions, the update lets players personalize their in-game garages by adding a name tag, giving a touch of ownership to the personal space many players invest in. A further enhancement appears in director mode, where weather conditions now include snowfall, adding a fresh visual layer and new creative possibilities for filmmakers and content creators who use the mode to craft developing stories and scenes within the GTA universe.
The patch is scheduled to roll out across platforms, bringing the running feature and the added online content to PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S. This release plan deliberately excludes older console generations that originally launched the game back in September of a previous era, reflecting ongoing support decisions that prioritize current hardware. Players on modern consoles and PC can expect the combined improvements to be available once the update goes live, accompanied by the usual balance tweaks and stability fixes that accompany any substantial patch. The community can look forward to experiencing the new running control in both the narrative-driven campaign and the evolving multiplayer landscape, where rapid movement and strategic positioning can alter how missions unfold and how races and heists unfold across Los Santos and its surrounding terrain. Any official notes and confirmation come from Rockstar Games, who describe the update as a meaningful step in improving how players interact with the game world and how creators craft stories within it. (Rockstar Games)