Well, we’re here everyone! Welcome to the deluge of Grand Theft Auto 6 info. We all just watched a 26-minute-long extended look at GTA 6 gameplay that was, frankly, pretty sick, and now it’s time to sift through the overwhelming pile of new information coming out from previews and interviews about the game. Don’t have time for all that? Don’t worry. Here’s an easy summary of 20 big things we learned from all these write-ups and videos, so you don’t have to spend hours combing through yourself.
Rockstar pondered doing 3, even 4 protagonists for GTA 6
GTA 5 had three, but ultimately the studio settled on a Bonnie and Clyde-style duo for this follow-up.
You don’t have to play Jason and Lucia as a romantic couple
According to IGN, the leading duo starts out in a romantic relationship, but doesn’t have to stay that way. Though they are forced to stay together by circumstance regardless, you can make choices to either develop a romantic relationship or encourage them to just be friends. Ignoring texts from the other, for instance, will negatively impact the relationship, but doing activities together will improve it. You can even hold hands with a simple right trigger tap while they’re out together, or hold open doors for each other. Making these choices will impact their interactions and characters, but it won’t change gameplay: the two are always going to be there for one another regardless.
You can swap between Jason and Lucia at (almost) any time
The function may be turned off at certain points in the story, but as we saw in the trailer, you can go skydiving with Lucia and swap to Jason’s perspective mid-jump. You can also call your partner to come help you if you’re in a jam, and they’ll show up.
You can pet dogs
And buy them treats! Or scold them, but, don’t. Your own pet dog can apparently predict lottery results?!
Safe houses are more complex than those in GTA 5
Other characters can drop by or even own safe houses, and you can do activities like shave or store cars there.
It’s important to eat well
Eating will give you a health boost, but overeating will impact a character’s appearance and cause them to gain weight. (This was previously a feature in GTA: San Andreas.) Working out will make the duo more muscular, and is another activity they can enjoy together.
There are loads of little distractions
You can browse social media apps on your phone, watch TV, listen to the radio, play pool or swim, race monster trucks, kayak, scuba dive, go to nightclubs, mini golf, go to the zoo and observe animals…the list goes on and on. Your phone specifically is a part of the game, with the camera zooming in on it when either character pulls it out of their pocket.
…and loads of ways to interact with people
Random events can happen while you’re out in the world, like NPCs trying to interact with you or speak with you. Some NPCs will cat-call you, with lines such as “you can use my balls like a punching bag” and “I can pee on you if you pay me.” You can talk to other characters while in a Ryde Me (in-game Uber) together, even strangers. And NPCs will react to you if you’re standing too close, eavesdropping for too long, or speaking to them aggressively, or sometimes they’ll just start fights for no reason. By default, you can start interactions by greeting or taunting people, and if someone’s behaving aggressively you can provoke them further, or try to defuse the situation.
You may want to go shopping
Different stores will sell different outfits and equipment, some of which will be exclusive to certain stores, so it’s good to shop around if you can.
The six-star Wanted level is back
It’s apparently very difficult to escape, and may require fleeing on foot through Leonida’s more narrow alleys, or getting in a very fast vehicle. Cops will also react differently depending on if you’re doing crimes solo or as a couple, and you can split up and give other instructions to your partner to help draw heat away.
The cops know what you look like
If you’re spotted on a CCTV or by witnesses, or if the cops see you, they’ll know what you look like and what car you’re driving and will remember it. Sometimes, you’ll need to put on a new hat, change your clothes (carry a spare in the trunk of the car, maybe?), swap your vehicle, or even cut your hair to get the police off your tail. Putting on a mask before doing a crime can help stop this from happening in the first place. You also can’t post photos on the Instagram-equivalent, Snapmatic. You’re on the run, after all.
The map is twice the size of GTA 5‘s
And three times the size of RDR 2‘s map.
There’s no first-person mode at launch
This was confirmed to Brazilian YouTuber Davy Jones. A first-person perspective will be available through certain weapons.
There’s an honor system
And it’s impacted by bad deeds (doing loads of unnecessary violence) and good deeds (throwing away trash).
Choices seem to matter
And could impact the story in big and small ways.
Stealing cars is more varied
Some cars will have electronic locks and need key cloners to get into. Some have trackers. Often, better cars will require more tools and skill to steal.
But there’s an app for that
The new app Waink will let you scan cars and obtain info about them such as whether or not it’s locked, has an alarm or a tracker, and how much it’s worth.
You can incapacitate enemies
Either by wounding them or knocking the weapon out of their hand. You don’t always have to kill.
Don’t expect a lot of very specific political commentary
GTA has always had a lot of broad commentary on society, culture, and yes, politics, and GTA 6 is no exception. However, don’t expect too much in the way of timely, modern memes. Rockstar has apparently tried to avoid any very specific references due to the game’s long development cycle, and wanting to avoid writing satire that would be quickly out of date.
GTA 6 could be 80 hours long
That’s how long it took producer Rob Nelson in February, though your own experience may vary.
