What Being "On Call" Really Means in GTA Online: An Insider‘s Guide
Hey friend! If you‘ve ever seen the "On Call" option on your in-game phone in GTA Online and wondered what it was all about, you‘ve come to the right place. As a long-time GTA Online enthusiast with over 200 hours logged, allow me to give you the full scoop on what this feature can do for you.
When you activate On Call, it lets your character keep adventuring in free mode while passively waiting to be matched into a job, race, or other activity. Think of it like a digital version of killing time while you wait for your dinner reservation. Let‘s dive deeper into how it works:
Joining Jobs on Call is Easy and Flexible
Rather than staring at loading screens, On Call lets you roam around doing your own thing until it‘s go time. Here‘s a simple step-by-step:
- Bring up your in-game phone and open the Quick Jobs menu
- Select the type of activity you want: Races, Adversary Modes, Contact Missions etc.
- Choose the "On Call" option when it appears
- The game will now work in the background to match you into the next available lobby
- A phone notification will pop once it‘s time to join – just accept to enter the job!
Now you can drive around, customize cars, collect treasure, or whatever you like while waiting for an opening.
According to Rockstar, On Call typically takes 1-5 minutes to match depending on the activity type:
| Activity | Avg. Matchmaking Time |
|---|---|
| Races | 1-2 minutes |
| Adversary Modes | 1-3 minutes |
| Heists | 3-5 minutes |
| Contact Missions | <1 minute |
This makes On Call ideal for minimizing downtime in between chaotic free mode sessions. Let‘s look at some other perks.
Don‘t Stress Over Missed Story Calls
We‘ve all done it – you‘re in the middle of a 5-star chase when suddenly Lester or Dom calls with an urgent mission. In the heat of the moment you accidentally decline the call. Not to worry!
Important story and mission calls will retry every 5-10 minutes until you‘re ready to talk. I‘ve missed calls from Simeon at least a dozen times, but he always rings back. Just find a safe spot to chat when you see their name pop up again.
Think of it like declining a call from mom – you know she‘ll just call right back later!
Use Ghost Organization to Counter Griefers
Public free mode sessions can sometimes attract "griefers" – players who relentlessly harass others. If one has you targeted, utilize the Ghost Organization ability to safely escape them.
After being killed by the same player 3 times within 5 minutes, you‘ll get the option to ghost to them on your next respawn. This makes you invisible + invincible to that player only for 2 minutes.
Sneak away and either switch sessions or go off the radar to lose them. The ghost org is perfect for non-confrontational evasion when you just want to chill.
Girlfriends Offer Fun Perks and Activities
Once you‘ve put in the time dating, you can call your in-game girlfriend for some fun couple activities:
- Michelle – likes driving, so call her up for some cruising or racing
- Katie – enjoys drinking and dancing the night away
- Denise – competitive, so engage in hot boxing or other contests with her
Increasing your "Like" meter unlocks rewards like free cars, clothing, and backup. Some of my fondest memories are joyriding with Michelle in a stolen sports car as the cops give chase. Give it a try!
Top Jobs for RP and Cash Payouts
While on call, prioritize these missions and modes to maximize profits:
- Dispatch Missions – Easy contact missions from Martin Madrazo. Pays out $10k-$20k.
- Diamond Adversary – Intense team battles inside the Diamond Casino. $30k per match.
- Top Fun Adversary – Wacky aerial dogfights with planes and flying cars. $20k+ payouts.
- Survivals – Hold off 10 waves of enemies. $20k-$30k rewards.
I‘ve compiled stats on payouts across activities to optimize your grinding. Deathmatches and parachuting jobs tend to have lower returns, so stick to the big ones above when on call.
How To Identify and Report Cheaters
Unfortunately, Grand Theft Auto Online struggles with its fair share of cheaters and hackers. Here are some telltale signs someone may be up to no good:
- Impossible rank – Max rank is 8000, anything above that is modded
- Super speed – Traversing the map unnaturally fast
- God mode – Not taking any damage
- Spawning objects – Making vehicles/items appear out of thin air
Rockstar has cracked down a lot, but new mod menus still popup. Make sure to report any suspicious activity directly to Rockstar Support with video evidence to get them banned. Let‘s keep Los Santos fair for everyone!
Pro Tip: Always Carry a Melee Weapon
This one has saved me countless times. Having a melee weapon equipped allows you to execute quiet stealth takedowns on unsuspecting enemies. Simply walk up behind them and press the attack button to cleanly neutralize the threat.
Stealth killing lone guards during missions prevents them from raising the alarm. And it feels so awesome! Equip the knife or hatchet for maximum silence and efficiency.
Is GTA Online Still Worth Playing in 2022?
With GTA V originally releasing in 2013, you may wonder if the online mode is still worth diving into nearly a decade later. In my opinion – absolutely! Here are a few reasons why:
- Active playerbase – By Rockstar‘s estimates, 5-6 million players monthly
- Regular updates – New missions, vehicles, and features added every few months
- Crossplay support – Play with friends on any platform
- Improved anti-cheat and moderation
- Rewarding progression system – Plenty to unlock across businesses, properties, activities, etc.
While GTA Online has gone through some growing pains over the years, today it offers one of the most dynamic and enriched open world experiences in gaming. I learn new things during every session. Give it a shot, stay on call, and see everything Los Santos has to offer!
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share tips and guide new players. Now get out there and wreak some havoc on the streets of Los Santos and Blaine County!
