Ahead of today’s GTA 6 Extended Preview on Netflix, developer Rockstar Games has revealed plenty of new details on the highly anticipated open-world game. In a new interview, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson divulged how the game, similar to GTA: San Andreas, will require you to take good care of the protagonists Jason and Lucia, as the duo will need to engage in exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation if they want to stay in shape. Just like real life, but with more immediate gains.
Getting physical
First off, Jason and Lucia’s physiques will change according to how you take care of them between missions. Working out will visibly build muscle for the pair, while gorging on food will make them get noticeably heavier. Rockstar says it wants to enable “self-expression” amongst players without losing “the essence” of the characters. On that topic, Jason is ex-military and a drug runner, while Lucia has just finished a stint in prison when GTA 6 starts.
You’ll also need to ensure that Jason and Lucia get some rest between their outings, as staying awake for several days or constantly evading the police will take a toll on them. Players will have the option to play as the couple or go solo in the game, and swapping between them is designed to be a seamless experience. “The thing we love about this medium is the way these characters aren’t empty avatars that you can do whatever you want with,” Nelson said to Dazed (via Shinobi602). “Their story becomes a journey you share with them.”
Contrary to what your parents told you, looks do matter–especially in Vice City. Nelson says that Vice City is built around vanity, and how Jason and Lucia appear will “carry significant weight” as players interact with social media stars, celebrities, and tourists.
Choice and consequences
Rockstar is also aiming to make the world of GTA 6 more reactive to players, with repercussions for certain actions. Rockstar says that the consequences will “cut much deeper” than in previous GTA games.
NPCs are more distinct than ever
The various GTA 6 leaks have so far shown off an impressively populated city, and Nelson said that Rockstar has done a lot of research to create diverse crowds of NPCs. The studio spent years in Miami and its surrounding areas to nail the feel of the game, meeting with people from all walks of life. Rockstar met club promoters, infamous individuals, law enforcement, ex-criminals, and even gun dealers, and the NPC variety includes a wide range of factors to make large groups of unique NPCs.
Rockstar says that it developed new tools to “build the most detailed and varied character population” for GTA 6. With multiple branches across the world, Rockstar’s LA office was dedicated solely to working on NPCs.
The developer also brought in over 50 real street artists to create murals for the game, and when it came to vehicle handling, real race-car drivers were hired to help fine-tune how cars behave in Vice City.
Following several days of leaks, the first new look at GTA 6 will debut exclusively on Netflix later today, followed by a wider release on platforms like YouTube. Rockstar addressed the leaks this week, describing them as “heartbreaking” for the team ahead of the game’s November launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.