GTA 6 is introducing plenty of new gameplay mechanics, but Rockstar Games doesn’t want players to feel like they’re doing chores every time they explore Vice City. The upcoming open-world game has a much greater emphasis on realism than GTA 5, with more ways to interact with NPCs, different methods of stealing vehicles, and new activities involving Jason and Lucia. However, Rockstar also understands that realism can become a problem when it starts getting in the way of having fun. As it turns out, some features have already been removed from GTA 6 for that exact reason.
Rockstar has previously revealed several ways that GTA 6 will make its open world feel more believable. NPCs will react to suspicious behavior, while Jason and Lucia can participate in everything from kayaking and scuba diving to working out at gyms. Characters will also sweat during physical activity, with their appearances changing depending on what they’re doing. There’s certainly plenty of attention to detail, but Rockstar doesn’t necessarily want to recreate every part of real life (especially the boring stuff). That said, some of these decisions have apparently been more difficult than others.
GTA 6 is Rockstar’s Most Realistic Open-World Yet, But It Tries to Avoid Tedium
Speaking with Love magazine, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson explained how the developer approaches realism in GTA 6. According to Nelson, making the world believable is important, but the studio also needs to consider whether a particular feature actually improves GTA 6‘s gameplay. Some realistic mechanics have been simplified or removed entirely, with Rockstar trying to avoid making everyday activities unnecessarily complicated. As Nelson explained,
“Sometimes you need things to feel realistic to help with that sense of immersion, and conversely, sometimes you need to forego realism in favor of what will be most convenient for the player—realism can help greatly with immersion, but too much can feel tedious, so we try to find the right balance.”
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One example is GTA 6’s vehicle refueling system. Players will need to stop for gas every now and then, but Rockstar has designed the process around a quick-time event that should only take a moment to complete. Nelson previously joked that the interaction is so quick players shouldn’t have much reason to complain, although he acknowledged that the studio would have to see how people respond. It’s a small example of how GTA 6 can introduce something realistic without making it a major inconvenience.
As another example, Rockstar also experimented with a more involved grocery shopping system in GTA 6. At one point, Jason and Lucia could purchase groceries, bring them home, and restock their refrigerator. However, the developer eventually decided that managing food supplies was more complicated than it needed to be, cutting the system from the game. Players can still eat and visit restaurants, with food playing a role in health and health playing a role in GTA 6‘s open-world activities. However, keeping the fridge stocked won’t be another responsibility players need to worry about.
There’s still plenty Rockstar hasn’t revealed about GTA 6’s gameplay, but at this point, it seems fans will find the rest for themselves when GTA 6 releases. Of course, it’s known that the developer has spent years building a massive open world with hundreds of activities, interactions, and smaller details for players to discover. In all of that, Rockstar wants players to experience Jason and Lucia’s everyday lives without forcing them to handle every responsibility that comes with them. After all, GTA 6 is still a freedom-driven open-world Grand Theft Auto game, not a life sim.
- Released
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November 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+
