Rockstar Games has announced the A Safehouse in the Hills update for Grand Theft Auto Online, set to launch on December 10, 2025. The expansion features the return of Michael De Santa from GTA 5, alongside new luxury mansions and missions. Actor Ned Luke, who voices Michael, celebrated the news with the quote, 'Daddy's back bitches.'
Update Overview
The A Safehouse in the Hills expansion for GTA Online introduces players to high-end living in Los Santos through partnerships with Prix Luxury Real Estate. These mansions offer sprawling grounds, breathtaking views, and advanced amenities, including personal assistance and business service technology. A new trailer released on December 5, 2025, showcases Michael De Santa's return, depicting him older and involved in protecting his upscale neighborhood from criminal activities.
Key Features and Rewards
Players can purchase these mega mansions and customize them with trophy cabinets, salons, huge garages, and animal kennels, introducing personal pets to the game. An AI Assistant is also added, potentially parodying real-world AI trends with satirical voice lines heard in the trailer.
To incentivize early engagement, Rockstar offers special promotions. Players opting into the Prix Luxury Black Tier VIP from now until December 7, 2025, can acquire an Ubermacht Revolter sports car at the Luxury Autos showroom. Completing all three New Listings missions advances users to Gold Tier membership, granting a $1 million in-game cash bonus and a $2 million discount on a luxury estate.
Background and Context
Michael's reappearance fulfills long-standing fan requests, following a 2021 GTA Online DLC that confirmed his survival post-GTA 5 story. Rockstar had promised extended narratives for protagonists Michael, Franklin, and Trevor since 2013, though a Trevor-focused expansion was canceled. This update continues support for GTA Online amid anticipation for GTA 6's November 2026 release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.