Modding video games can lead to all manner of interesting experiences, and few series have been as heavily modded as Rockstar Games’Grand Theft Auto. Many mods around the Internet change in-game aesthetics and models, such as aGTA: San Andreasmod adding Insomniac’s Spider-Manas a playable character, but some, like a recently createdGrand Theft Auto 5mod, have had much more practical real-world effects.
A modder who goes by Makinolo uploaded “GTBikeV” to the siteGTA 5Mods on May 20, which allows any player who downloads and installs it to turn their Smart Bike Trainer into a controller for the game, essentially letting them have an “immersed” bike ride throughout its open world. The mod reads in-game inclines, terrain materials, and wind so that information can be sent to a player’s exercise bike according to Makinolo, and all the data collected can be sent to a training app so any progress can be tracked.
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GTBikeV is also programmed with auto driving that “uses the best driving skill level available in the game,” that way users do not have to control their own pathing and worry about crashing into cars or pedestrians aroundGTA 5’s map of Los Santos. Players are still able to control their own steering with a keyboard or controller if desired.
Makinolo said “actual physical exercise” is required for the mod to be meaningful, and it can only be utilized with story mode and notGrand Theft Auto: Online. There are more open creation means available inGTA Onlinefor those who like customizing the game, which has led to playersrecreating maps like Shipment fromCall of Duty: Modern Warfarein the past.
GTA Onlineis typically the bastion for modding, hacking, and whatever other crazy things fans of Rockstar’s open-world sandbox title might be able to accomplish. However, recentlyGTA 5hackers have been able to mess with story modeas well, adding in a chaotic element like giant UFOs and other objects throughout the world.
On the bright side, hacking and moddingGTA 5’s story mode has also led to positive things like Makinolo’s exercise mod, which provides an interesting way to keep fit while gyms are closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. These kinds of developments are part of the reason whyGTA 5has had insane lifetime sales, having sold 130 million units since launch.
Grand Theft Auto 5is out now on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
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