'GTA 6': Story, Release Date, Characters, and Everything you Need to Know

With the release of Grand Theft Auto VI getting closer and closer, more information about Rockstar’s game is being revealed, and with November 19 just around the corner, Omelete has rounded up everything we know about the title. 

What’s the story?

So far, Rockstar has revealed very little about the story. Among the details officially shared, we know that Jason and Lucia — who has just been released from prison — get involved in a job that was supposed to be easy but goes wrong, forcing them to deal with trouble in Vice City amid a criminal conspiracy that stretches across the entire state of Leonia, the fictional state that represents Florida in the franchise’s games. 

During the Extended Look released by Netflix, it was possible to see that Lucia and Jason are working for someone and needed to pick up drugs from a clandestine lab. After that, the duo appears dealing with other important figures in Vice City, likely gaining influence to survive the problems caused by the botched job. 

Who are the main characters?

Lucia and Jason will be the central characters of the story. Lucia will be the series’ first female protagonist since GTA debuted in 1999. As far as we know, the character is an escaped inmate on the run from custody, accompanied by her partner and love interest.

In addition to the main duo, the game will feature Cal Hampton, Jason’s friend and partner; Boobie Ike, a Vice City local legend; Dre'Quan Priest, a former drug dealer turned gangster wannabe; Real Dimez, a pair of friends who specialize in extortion; Raul Bautista, a veteran bank robber; and Brian Heder, a drug trafficker from the golden age of smuggling.

How big is the game’s map?

Thanks to the content published on Netflix and the preview material released shortly after the trailer dropped, we learned that the game is twice the size of GTA 5, making it the biggest map ever created by Rockstar Games.

Classic mechanics return with a fresh spin in GTA VI

While not exactly new, since it appeared in GTA: San Andreas, Jason and Lucia will be able to take care of their bodies to become more muscular, and they’ll also be able to eat and gain weight from consuming food without exercising. The previews also said that foods will have calorie values attached, allowing players to keep an eye on that so they don’t end up overweight.

However, it was said that running around the city during your criminal activities will count as "cardio," which can help keep Lucia and Jason in shape. 

It will also be possible to perform a kind of "mini-game" to break into parked cars. Rockstar even revealed that stealing these cars will not automatically put the police on Jason and Lucia’s trail. 

Another new feature, carried over from Red Dead Redemption 2, will be the ability to study the animals in the game, likely to unlock knowledge about the species and learn how to hunt them, since hunting mechanics are expected to return in GTA VI.  

The honor system is another feature inherited from Red Dead Redemption 2, and it will likely have consequences for the game’s ending. Rockstar has made it clear, however, that you’ll still be able to carry out your criminal activities — it’s the way you perform those actions that will determine your honor. 

The houses — or bases — acquired by Jason and Lucia will work like the camps in Red Dead Redemption 2, with the duo either living in the same place or separately, and with other characters also able to visit the house and interact with them. It will also be possible to trim hair, and in Jason’s case, his beard. However, new looks will only be available at salons scattered throughout the city. 

Confirmed new mechanics

Among the new mechanics recently confirmed is the ability to switch automatically between Jason and Lucia, especially during missions when both are close to each other. However, when the characters are apart, switching will happen the same way it does in GTA V. 

Another new feature is that characters will be able to carry physical cash and also keep money in the bank. Since players will completely lose their weapons and money when they die, this option will allow Jason and Lucia to restock their cars with equipment and get back to their activities.

And speaking of restocking your car, that’s one of the game’s new mechanics. In GTA VI, players will need to fill up their cars’ gas tanks, meaning they could run out of fuel in the middle of exploration. We don’t know whether gas can run out during missions, but that would certainly be an interesting twist for the game.

Another new feature is the overhaul of the wanted system. Jason and Lucia will only have their criminal activities reported if they’re seen by someone while doing them. For example, if you rob a bank, people will call the police and describe the duo’s clothes and appearance. Because of this, an outfit-changing mechanic will be available, allowing players to change clothes to throw off the police.

Not only that, but the police will also be able to track your car, meaning Jason and Lucia will need to switch vehicles during an escape in order to lose the cops during a chase. 

Among the mini-games, players will be able to ride jet skis, dive in Vice City’s waters, go kayaking, play basketball, take part in car and motocross races, and if they want to "relax," they can also watch TV or browse videos on the characters’ phones. 

Romance system

Yes — if you want Jason and Lucia to become a couple in the game, it will be possible to perform small actions to help strengthen their bond, unlocking special moments if the player chooses to nurture the relationship instead of ignoring the romance. Since it’s optional, the romance will mainly serve as a way to add more depth to certain scenes, as the two will be more connected than if they were just partners. 

In IGN’s words, if one of the protagonists spends too much time away from home, the other asks for the house to be locked up and says they’re going to bed. If those messages are ignored, the relationship may start to suffer.

To strengthen their bond, on the other hand, it’s important to spend time together outside missions: exploring Leonida, the in-game version of Florida; going to the mall; working out together; and taking part in other kinds of activities — including criminal ones — will be some of the factors that make the protagonists fall even more in love.

What platforms will the game be available on?

GTA VI will launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Rumors have surfaced that the game could also come to the Nintendo Switch 2, but there is no strong evidence that this will actually happen.

What about PC?

So far, Rockstar has no plans to release the game on PC at launch in November. Since the franchise is synonymous with consoles, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA’s creator, wants to reward the console player base. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two’s CEO, commented on this in an interview with Bloomberg. 

“Rockstar always starts on consoles because, for a release like this, you’re judged by how well you serve your core audience. If your core consumer isn’t there, if they aren’t served first and in the best possible way, you ultimately won’t reach your other consumers,” Zelnick said.

How much does the game cost?

• PlayStation 5: $79.99 for the Standard edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate edition
• Xbox Series X|S: $79.99 for the Standard edition and $99.99 for the Ultimate edition

Players who choose the Standard edition and later want the Ultimate version will be able to buy the upgrade pack for R$ 100, the exact price difference between the two editions.