Grand Theft Auto 6 is almost here, and that means the open-world genre is about to receive its biggest boost in about a decade. A long, long time has passed since GTA 5 and even Red Dead Redemption 2, so Rockstar needs to show that the wait was worth it, and the best way to do that is to fill Vice City with brand-new features, along with creating a living world. So far, a few GTA 6 open-world activities have been revealed and confirmed, setting the stage for what could be the most packed sandbox in the franchise.
With only two months to go, Rockstar might decide to slow down the reveals for the time being, just to allow certain things to remain a surprise. However, the Netflix gameplay presentation and other preview material highlighted various aspects that will be part of GTA 6, and hopefully they’ll live up to their potential.
All these open-world activities were confirmed a while back, and this article summarizes them in one place, just to make the information as accessible as possible. This isn’t a definitive list, but it pinpoints some of the most exciting reveals.
We are only covering activities new to GTA, so no returning acts like hunting.
Fishing To Relax And Compete
A Fun Way To Escape Leonida’s Noise And Chaos
SinceRed Dead Redemption 2featured fishing, GTA 6 incorporating the activity isn’t surprising, but proper freshwater sport fishing is still new to the franchise. While we haven’t seen an in-depth demonstration yet, Rockstar outlined exactly how fishing will work in the upcoming game, confirming that its purpose is recreation, not profit.
Unlike RDR2, you don’t keep, harvest, or cook fish. In an interview with YouTuber TGG, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson noted that keeping fish simply “didn’t fit this game,” given that modern Leonida’s economy revolves around diners, convenience stores, and fast food rather than wilderness survival. In contrast, hunting animals has a financial side, and its introduction comes courtesy of a character who knows Jason.
Mechanically, fishing seems to echo RDR2‘s system, albeit with the final step of throwing the fish back into the water. As you cannot make money off your catches, fishing instead features a competitive element through challenges, collectibles, and achievements.
Backyard Wrestling Is Part Of Leonida’s Culture
Time For An Attitude Adjustment
Personally, this is the activity I’m most excited about. The old Backyard Wrestling games were a guilty pleasure of mine, and I imagine GTA 6‘s production value will be a bit higher than those PS2 releases. Leonida appears to be inspired by Florida, a state with one of North America’s more well-known backyard and indie wrestling subcultures.
So far, Rockstar hasn’t spoken directly about this activity, nor has it shown much beyond a short clip in the Netflix special; however, backyard wrestling is definitely part of the game in one form or another. In the extended look, the footage shows up in a montage of seemingly open-world activities, suggesting it is an optional distraction players can take part in. “The Ballad of Gay Tony” had an underground fight club mini-game, so backyard wrestling wouldn’t be too unusual for GTA.
An In-Depth Workout System With Gym Membership And More
Train And Condition Jason And Lucia
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Image by Rockstar -
Image by Rockstar
Following in the footsteps of Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 6 doubles down on realism, and that goes beyond just the incredible photorealistic visuals. Players will have direct control over Jason and Lucia’s physiques and conditioning, shaping both through their diet and exercise routine. Early GTA games incorporated some similar ideas, specifically San Andreas with CJ, but the upcoming game takes things a lot further.
You can buy memberships to access gyms around Leonida, and different types of facilities are available. The Netflix extended look showcased a bench press mini-game with Lucia, and other equipment will be available. You can buy protein shakes to increase stamina, and training should result in legitimate gains, both physical and gameplay-wise.
Kayaking Through Shallow Waters
A Different Type Of Travel
Considering the map includes Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Mount Kalaga National Park, and Vice City’s Ocean Beach, GTA 6 deciding to expand on its water activities shouldn’t come remotely as a surprise, and the franchise is no stranger to speedboats. While vehicles like jet skis aren’t anything new, Rockstar is introducing manual activities like kayaking, designed to navigate coastal areas rather than large open bodies of water.
In a neat little detail, the manufacturer seems to be Crest Kayaks, likely a play on the real-world company Crescent Kayaks. This type of boat opens up a new means of travel intended for shallow waterways, which will be a fixture in the marshlands and Mount Kalaga’s lakes and rivers. Rockstar previously explored canoes in Red Dead Redemption 2, so kayaking is really just an evolution of that.
Airboat Navigation
A Must For The Wetlands
Sticking with water for another entry, GTA 6 will be introducing airboats, which makes complete sense for the wetlands (aka, the Everglades). Unlike the high-speed or utility boats in the older games, airboats are flat-bottomed and powered by massive rear aircraft propellers. They drift and slide horizontally over mudflats, sandbars, and dense reed beds without losing momentum, which should create unique controls that set them apart from other travel options.
Circuit Racing Comes To GTA
Closed-Circuit Racing Course Is New Territory For Rockstar
A modern Grand Theft Auto needs to incorporate racing in some form or another… honestly, the side activity is basically a staple of the urban open-world model nowadays. Previous entries featured street and dirt racing, both of which will be in GTA 6 and likely expand; however, the more exciting confirmation is the introduction of circuit races. Netflix’s extended look included a brief shot of an event at Gellhorn International Raceway, a permanent facility likely inspired by Florida’s Sebring International Raceway. More importantly, the footage showcased racing-game UI, which isn’t the case with GTA 5‘s street races.
Special Mention: Basketball & Mini-Golf Are Likely
But Not Yet 100% Confirmed
Thanks to a promotional image and a brief shot in the Netflix extended look, mini-golf and basketball seem to be in GTA 6, but Rockstar hasn’t confirmed them. Now, you can shoot solo hops, as Jason does in the extended look, but that isn’t a new activity for the franchise. Rumors suggest that GTA 6 might include full-scale street basketball as a proper activity, allowing you to actually play a game rather than just lob shots on your lonesome.
NBA 2K27 and GTA 6 have announced a crossover, set to take place during the former’s upcoming third season. We don’t know what this combo will include, but it is hard to believe Rockstar would pursue this kind of collaboration if GTA 6 doesn’t feature a fleshed-out basketball mini-game.
