'Grand Theft Auto Online' goes live, servers face issues

Rock Star games launched "Grand Theft Auto Online" on Tuesday.

The game is a multiplayer version of the blockbuster title "Grand Theft Auto V" in which users -- who must be over 17 years of age and have purchased a retail copy of "GTA V" -- will be able to partake in the same type of activities they would in the original video game, while playing online with friends.

"Grand Theft Auto Online is a dynamic and persistent online world for 16 players that begins by sharing gameplay features, geography and mechanics with Grand Theft Auto V, but will continue to expand and evolve after its launch with new content created by Rockstar Games and the Grand Theft Auto community. Grand Theft Auto Online takes the fundamental Grand Theft Auto concepts of freedom, ambient activity and mission-based gameplay and makes them available to multiple players in an incredibly detailed and responsive online world," reads the overview in the game's website.

Additionally, players will be able to customize characters, collect cars and purchase real state.

Following the game's online debut, Rockstar Games apologized on Twitter after receiving complaints from gamers who experienced difficulties while trying to star a game session.

For those trying to get into GTA Online today, please bear w/ us on some day one tech connection issues that we’re working to stabilize asap

— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) October 1, 2013

Last week, the studio preemptively warned players of the potential pitfalls that the game might have upon its debut.

"One thing we are already aware of, and are trying to alleviate as fast as we can, is the unanticipated additional pressure on the servers due to a significantly higher number of players than we were anticipating at this point," read a statement from Rockstar. "We are working around the clock to buy and add more servers, but this increased scale is only going to make the first few days even more temperamental than such things usually are."

"Grand Theft Auto V" set a video game sales record, taking in $800 million worldwide when it was released on September 17.