If Grand Theft Auto were all about surrounding its protagonists with good people, we wouldn’t have half of the characters that made the franchise so memorable. Criminals and weirdos have always been a big part of the series, and GTA 5 is a title that made particularly good use of them. The previous entry had three protagonists, each with their own social circle, and it’s safe to say that none of them were exactly surrounded by angels. However, they were also a big part of what made crime feel so natural in the protagonists’ world.
It appears that thirteen years later, Grand Theft Auto 6 is ready to lean into this same formula when it comes to Jason. According to Rockstar, GTA 6’s Jason did not grow up in the best environment, and the people currently surrounding him certainly suggest that not much has changed. Brian Heder and Cal Hampton are great examples of what Jason considers to be normal company, but neither sounds like someone who is about to steer him away from trouble. Of course, this is not necessarily a bad thing, especially considering how well the same premise worked for GTA 5.
GTA 6 Is Skipping a Few Steps With Jason
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Image via Rockstar Games -
Images via Rockstar Games
Jason might be living his best life when it comes to his living arrangement—or so it seems. He doesn’t have to worry about rent prices going up because Brian Heder, his landlord, is a veteran drug runner who couldn’t care less about Jason’s money. He has been smuggling drugs through the Keys for years and still moves product through his boatyard with his third wife, Lori. Of course, being so far along in his career means that he doesn’t usually handle the dirty work himself. That’s what people like Jason are for. The protagonist may be allowed to live in his apartment rent-free, but he needs to make sure he holds up his end of the deal by helping Brian with local shakedowns.
This arrangement shows that Jason isn’t being suddenly pulled into the world of crime at the start of GTA 6. After all, one probably needs to be pretty comfortable with that lifestyle already to agree to live under a criminal’s roof. This approach is hardly new for the franchise, as GTA 5‘s protagonists were already heavily involved in the world of crime, too. That way, the game is free to focus on how to develop the narrative moving forward and help players reach the meat of the story much faster.
Having a Normal Life Was Never Really an Option for Jason
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Credits: Rockstar Games -
Credits: Rockstar Games
Speaking of Brian Heder, it’s hard not to think of another associate of his: Cal Hampton. He spends his time drinking beers and snooping on Coast Guard communications while simultaneously being chronically concerned about birds flying in suspiciously perfect formations. While Brian may be the character who represents the criminal side of Jason’s life, Cal seems to have the weirdness aspect covered. Rockstar describes Cal as perfectly happy with the way his life is going.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
On the other hand, there’s Jason with his allegedly huge plans. Although they seem too different from each other, this is the type of friendship that often lasts in real life. Story-wise, maybe the purpose of this friendship is to show players how easily Jason could choose to just relax, have a beer, and chill with his questionable friends. However, Jason clearly has something bigger in mind, even if Rockstar Games is still keeping the details to itself.
GTA 5 May Have Left GTA 6 a Useful Blueprint
The truth is that neither Brian nor Cal sounds like the best person to call in an emergency. However, GTA 5 has proven that surrounding the protagonist with characters like them is one of the best strategies to make this world as believable and as immersive as possible. Franklin had Lamar pulling him toward bad ideas, while Trevor’s social circle included characters such as the conspiracy-minded Ron and the strange but loyal Wade. Moreover, most people will probably agree that it’s exactly these characters who bring humor into the otherwise pretty serious business of being a criminal.
GTA 6 is currently scheduled to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
In any case, Brian and Cal’s purpose probably isn’t to copy GTA 5, but they establish a good baseline of what Jason’s life looks like before his life becomes more complicated. Moreover, just like in real life, one’s friends can tell us a lot about a person, and Jason’s relationship with both Cal and Brian gives Rockstar a whole new way to define him. Without a doubt, GTA 5 benefited from the same thing as well; for example, Franklin’s relationship with Lamar reveals a side of him that players would have never been able to see just from the missions with Michael. And if GTA 6‘s aim was to copy that same approach, then Jason’s relationships could end up doing a lot more of the heavy lifting than people imagine.
- Released
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November 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+
