GTA 6 Will Reportedly Blend GTA 5’s Chaos With Red Dead Redemption 2’s Realism
According to a new exclusive report, Rockstar is aiming to iterate on Red Dead Redemption 2 by making GTA 6 an even more realistic and immersive open world.
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GTA 6 News
Rockstar
Grand Theft Auto VI will reportedly combine the freedom and explosive chaos of GTA 5 with the grounded world simulation, physical character systems, and emotional depth of Red Dead Redemption 2.
New details come from an extensive Dazed interview with several Rockstar Games developers. According to the report, the studio’s goal is to create a world of “total immersion” that reacts more realistically than any previous Grand Theft Auto game to the player’s behavior, with an ultimate goal of NPCs that do not feel like NPCs.
Rockstar is not abandoning the weapons, supercars, criminal activity, and exaggerated satire associated with GTA. Instead, the team appears to be placing that freedom inside a more grounded and consequential simulation that feels more immersive, realistic, and responsive.
It remains to be seen what that actually means, because other than a few leaked clips, we haven't even actually seen true gameplay yet. That changes tomorrow thanks to Netflix, of all platforms.
Rockstar
According to the report, in GTA 6 players will no longer be able to move through Vice City as though its residents barely notice them. Carrying a rifle openly down a crowded street, for example, can prompt reactions from surrounding pedestrians. NPCs will respond to what Jason and Lucia are wearing, carrying, and doing rather than simply continuing through predetermined ambient routines.
The comparison with Red Dead Redemption 2 is particularly appropriate. Rockstar’s 2018 western featured one of the studio’s most reactive worlds, with NPCs responding to Arthur Morgan’s appearance, behavior, weapons, reputation, and previous interactions. Arthur’s hair and beard grew over time, his weight changed based on his diet, and injuries or exhaustion could become visible on his body.
GTA 6 will return to and expand several of those physical systems. Food affects the weight of both Jason and Lucia, while exercising changes the size and tone of their muscles. Spending extended periods without sleeping—whether because the characters are fleeing police or participating in a multi-day bender—will also leave visible signs on their faces and bodies.
These systems are not entirely new to Grand Theft Auto. GTA: San Andreas allowed CJ to gain weight, build muscle, and improve physical abilities through exercise. GTA 6 appears to be revisiting that concept with considerably more detailed character models and a level of visual feedback closer to Red Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar
“We look back at our previous games with a critical eye and see where we want to evolve based on what we didn’t do as well as we would have liked to, either because we didn’t have the time, resources or technological capabilities, or in some cases things we just didn’t do as well or consider as fully as we could have. A lot of what we do is very iterative – we adjust a lot of things by feel based on what is working and what isn’t.”
- Rob Nelson, Rockstar North Co-Studio Head
The world’s increased reactivity extends beyond Jason and Lucia. Rockstar says GTA 6 will contain its most detailed and varied NPC population yet, supported by new development tools and production pipelines created specifically for the game.
Pedestrians will vary considerably in their bodies, ages, clothing, movement, modifications, and behavior. Their appearances will also reflect the part of Leonida they inhabit, from the nightlife and luxury culture of Vice City to Little Cuba, the Leonida Keys, and the wilderness surrounding Mount Kalaga.
Rockstar has reportedly more than doubled the size of its development operation since Red Dead Redemption 2. One of its Los Angeles teams is now dedicated almost entirely to the game’s pedestrian population.
Rockstar
Rockstar conducted extensive on-location research throughout Miami and its surrounding areas to create that population. Developers met with former criminals, law enforcement officers, club promoters, gun dealers, musicians, and other local figures. A dedicated research team has also been embedded in Miami.
More than 50 real street artists contributed artwork for locations such as the Stockyard, GTA 6’s interpretation of Miami’s Wynwood district. Rockstar also worked with race-car drivers on the team responsible for vehicle handling and brought in local creative talent to develop Leonida’s fashion, music, advertising, nightlife, and visual culture.
Working social media feeds will also be accessible through the phone, reflecting the major role viral videos, influencers, musicians, and online spectacle play throughout Leonida. The Real Dimez, an aspiring rap duo previously shown by Rockstar, will develop their career partly through viral posts visible to the player.
Whether or not these stated intentions result in a better game remains to be seen. Rockstar has always been the benchmark for immersive open-world video games, so I'm eager to see how this plays out. It'll undoubtedly go down as one of the most pre-ordered and best-selling games of all time either way.
I just hope that a push towards a more realistic and immersive world doesn't result in a loss of the chaos and excitement that's been so important to the fun of GTA for decades.
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