GTA Online Turns 13: Rockstar Hands Out a New Anniversary Party Hat to Veteran Players

GTA Online reached its 13th birthday today, and Rockstar Games is marking the occasion with a new in-game gift for players. The reward is a 13th anniversary Party Hat, and it is available now to anyone whose character is old enough to qualify.

A milestone for a rocky start

It has been more than a decade since GTA Online launched in 2013, and the debut was far from smooth. GTA V had become the fastest-selling piece of entertainment in history only weeks earlier, so expectations were enormous. The launch was marred by major server problems. Players who logged in on Day One and fought through those issues are the ones the 13th anniversary gift is aimed at.

What you get and how to claim it

Log into GTA Online on October 1 with a character that was created 13 years ago and the gift will be added to your account. The reward is a black and green party hat with the number 13 on it. You also receive firework ammo to go with it.

To equip the hat, open the Party Hats section under Hats, either in your wardrobe or through the Interaction Menu.

Not a Day One player? You're still covered

The gift isn't limited to the original launch date. Rockstar ties each hat to the anniversary of your own character's creation, so you receive a new one every year based on how long your character has existed. Hats for years one through twelve were added in late 2024 with The Chop Shop update. The 13th hat is the highest tier anyone can currently earn.

How to check your character's birthday

Not sure when you made your character? Here is how to find out:

1. Press the pause button.

2. Open the Stats tab.

3. Scroll down to General on the right side.

4. Your character creation date is listed there.

Party outfits are part of the program too

Hats aren't the only birthday rewards. A Bronze Party Suit is gifted to characters that reach five years old, and a Silver Party Suit goes to characters that pass ten years. Rockstar hasn't said whether a Gold Party Suit will arrive at the 15-year mark, though it would fit the established pattern.

What comes next

The next milestone, year 14, arrives in 2027, and there are signs Rockstar has plans beyond that. A glitch previously showed a 15th-year hat on at least one veteran character. In December 2023, X user Finn Pup reported that his original character had 15 hats, and he took it as a sign Rockstar intended to support GTA Online for at least five more years.

That outlook has held up. GTA VI has been delayed multiple times, and Rockstar has said it will keep supporting the current version of GTA Online well into the future, with no new GTA Online launching for some time.

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