>get dropped into the middle of the world with no money
>have to jog absolutely everywhere
>every NPC has their car doors locked
>beginner money grind is always some repetitive task centralized in Paleto (you spawned in Los Santos)
>earn $5 every real-world hour
>a dirtbike (which you can lose permanently) costs $50000

How the fuck did this ever become popular?

>>714790918 (OP)
COVID and how it killed TV and movies for like 8-12 months. Roleplay was an easy alternative source of entertainment.

It didn't. If you paid attention you would notice these servers have battle passes or other perks you buy with real world cash. You will also notice servers advertise constantly and promise the moon despite being set up with existing free tools. It's the same phenomenon as crypto animal shitcoins, they want to convince rubes to "get in early" only for the server to shut down a month later when whatever indians operating it have made their $300.

>>714792041
meds