Can you play gta online on pc without the story mode?
Quick Answer
No, you cannot play GTA Online on PC without GTA V's story mode, as GTA Online is the online component of Grand Theft Auto V and requires the base game to be installed.
Explanation
Grand Theft Auto Online is the online multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto V, released on Windows in April 2015. As the online mode is integrated into GTA V, the base game must be installed on PC to access GTA Online. This means players cannot purchase or play GTA Online separately from GTA V, as the online functionality relies on the core game engine and assets. The story mode of GTA V is part of the base game, so installing GTA V inherently includes the single-player campaign. Rockstar Games has confirmed that GTA Online requires GTA V as a prerequisite, making the story mode necessary to play the online version.