I don't mind it.
Part, and frankly not an insignificant part, of my lamentation over the in game economy is new players starting. In the past year or so, I've had several friends either take up the game, come back after a long hiatus, or otherwise find themselves starting over(not having a PS4 to transfer to before the deadline, natural disaster, etc.) I think all but one has abandoned the game shortly after. Much like I've offered folks here, I can take a new player and get them over a million in a night if I have the help of another player or two. It's a solid headstart that any new player could not duplicate alone. Despite this, and often subsequent nights of similar achievement, there typically comes a time upon which to further progress the new player is faced with dumping their whole wad to invest in long term income generating ventures. That is usually where they vacate the game.
After 15-20 hours it is possible to get a new player enough money to buy an office, vehicle warehouse, and bunker. The trifecta of continued income generation. Unfortunately, by then they now have 15-20 hours of tooling round in my aircraft, hanging round my yacht and cash-scattered office, as well as witnessing the expansive garage collection. They want that, and they want to get started down that path now. So when someone is faced with the prospect of (in their minds) throwing away all that they've worked for up until then, only to end up in the same place(again, from their perspective) as they were; no cool cars, no cool aircraft, no cool marine craft, and no cash. The prospective income that comes with many more hours of grinding I/E and running the bunker that they are now well setup for does little to assuage their concerns. To new players, the game looks like a big hustle with little reward in the early stages, because it is.
This is also why, in a selfish attempt to retain friends on GTA V, I often encourage them to focus on the joys of the environment rather than the grind of the gameplay. This is why I keep repeating that the most fun I have with the game is usually derived from free or nearly free activities. Also why I am opposed to the continued encroaching development of my beloved wilderness and open spaces!
I think that this option for new players might help alleviate some of that high early turnover. I am certain that is the goal.
Probably the most pleasant surprise of this whole DLC is that there is no research so we can unlock everything right away (thank god).
I'm glad the billions of dollars they've made are going to essential things like servers that actually work.
